Beckett, Samuel / John Montague.

Collection of interesting and rare publications, an early spoken word radio play by Beckett (Embers), a signed poetry book in english (Limited Edition of only 100 copies) as well as a stunning exchange of letters between the irish writer John Montague and irish artist Louis Le Brocquy, in which John Montague refers to Beckett: “The early Beckett is a smart alec; the break comes when he has to survive in post-war France and accept “his own darkness”. The Montague – connection is meaningful. John Montague was Beckett’s neighbour in Paris, became his friend and not only lectured on Beckett but wrote the most significant and revealing obituary upon Beckett’s death in the Guardian: “An Appreciation of Samuel Beckett” (Wednesday, 27th of December 1989) / [See images and full descriptions of each single item in this Beckett-Collection on our Homepage under “Libraries & Collections” – look for “Samuel Beckett Collection”].

London / Ballydehob (Ireland) / France / New York, Calder / BBC / Grove Press, 1959 – 1981. Octavo. Original Softcover / Stapled / Hardcover (differing bindings in this collection). Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Extremely rare collection of interesting titles, letters by irish writer John Montague to Louis le Brocquy on Beckett, a signed book of poems by Beckett, etc.

[Lee, Spike / Puttnam, David / Columbia Pictures].

Spike Lee’s Gotta Have it : Inside Guerilla Filmmaking [Inscribed and signed by Spike Lee to british producer Davis Puttnam (then Columbia CEO / Chairman of Columbia Pictures) who was instrumental in green-lighting Spike Lee’s ‘first major studio film’ (see Patrick Goldstein’s article in the LA Times in Feb.,1988) “School Daze”. The inscription reads: “To David Puttnam / Thanks for Everything / I appreciate it / Fuck Columbia !!! / love, Spike Lee” and is reflective of Spike Lee’s and David Puttnam’s experiences at Columbia (according to the Patrick Goldstein – article, Lee later complained that he constantly faught with Columbia, accusing them of trrying to ‘ghettoize’ his film.

First Edition. New York, Simon and Schuster, 1987. Octavo. 366 pages, illustrated throughout. Illustrated softcover in Collector’s Mylar and bespoke made Solanderbox. Excellent condition with only minor signs of wear. Extremely rare, stunning association-copy between two icons of film-making.

[Cooper, Jane] Olson, Charles / Frost, Robert / Lewis, Janet / Waldrop, Keith / Eshleman, Clayton / Levine, Philip / Wakoski, Diane / Snyder, Gary / Simic, Charles / Rich, Adrienne / Olds, Sharon / Bly, Robert and many others.

Collection of 200 books / pamphlets of american poetry, some from the collection of Jane Cooper, often inscribed and signed to her; some from the collection of Clayton Eshleman, some from the library of Carolee Schneemann and many of these books in the collection with some nice associations. Several publications with no inscriptions or signatures but those being mainly first editions. The collection includes several landmark publications of american 20th century poetry and also several publications of still unknown, undiscovered and upcoming american poets.

New York / Boston / Ann Arbor and many others, 1953-1997. Octavo. More than 5000 pages. A mixture of original Hardcovers with the dustjackets and several softcover publication. Many of the publications in protective collector’s Mylar. Most of the publications in very good+ condition with only minor signs of external wear / Many of the publications signed or inscribed, either to Jane Cooper or other american poets or collectors.

Amado, Jorge / Borges, Jorge Luis / Garcia Marquez, Gabriel / Allende, Isabel / Vargas Llosa, Mario / Anderson-Imbert, Enrique / Benitez, Antonio / Torres Bodet, Jaime / Guillen, Nicolas / Reyes, Alfonso / Ocampo, Maria Luisa / Puig, Manuel / Lezama Lima, Jose / Valenzuela, Luisa / Ignacio Taibo II, Ignacio / and many others.

Amazing Collection with more than 400 Volumes of rare, out-of-print and often signed or inscribed books of 20th century Latin American Literature, with first editions, signed editions by writers from Cuba, Argentinia, Peru, Mexico, Colombia and also some authors from Spain and Portugal. Each publication within the collection is beautifully photographed. The collection includes signed and inscribed books by nearly all major authors associated with Magical Realism. Some are excellent association copies.

La Habana / New York / Buenos Aires / Madrid / Paris / London / Boston / and others, c.1923 – 1999. Octavo. More than 50000 pages. Hardcover and Softcover, mostly in original dustjackets or printed wrappers in Mylar. Very good condition. The price for the collection includes worldwide free shipping per UPS Express Saver (3 -4 working days).

Benjamin, Walter / Rang, Florens Christian / Rosenzweig, Franz.

Collection of interesting and important publications on and by Walter Benjamin, one of the most influential philosophers and aesthetic influencers of the 20th century. While the collection already contains a number of important publications, literary criticism and even a signed and annotated working-copy of Franz Rosenzweig’s “Stern der Erlösung” by Benjamin’s friend Florens Christian Rang, the collection is a work in progress and we invite offers from collectors and dealers. You can see detailed photography and descriptions in our section “Libraries & Collections”. So far the collection includes: 1. A stunning set of “Die Literarische Welt”, with many first edition articles by Benjamin and his contemporaries. Two Volumes with 94 Issues in total (31 issues in duplicate / 31 Hefte doppelt). Berlin, Ernst Rowohlt, 1925 – 1927. This original set of the early and fragile periodical with an abundance of essays, articles and reviews by Benjamin, are some of the finest examples of Benjamin’s exciting and versatile voice, forward and opinionated reflections on film and literature etc. / 2. Fantastic Collection of eight [pristine] Volumes of Philosophical Writings and Biographical Works by and on Walter Benjamin [I.Walter Benjamin – Selected Writings. Volume I (1913-1926), Volume II (1927-1934), Volume III (1935-1938) and Volume IV (1938-1940) – Translated by Rodney Livingstone and others – Edited by Marcus Bullock and Michael W.Jennings, Howard Eiland and Gary Smith / V. The Correspondence of Walter Benjamin (1910-1940) – Edited and Annotated by Gershom Scholem and Theodor W.Adorno – Translated by Manfred R.Jacobson and Evelyn M. Jacobson / VI. Walter Benjamin – Early Writings (1910 – 1917) – Translated by Howard Eiland and Others / VII. Theodor W. Adorno & Walter Benjamin – The Complete Correspondence (1928 – 1940) / VIII. Walter Benjamin – The Arcades Project – Translated by Howard Eiland and Kevin McLaughlin] / 3.[Benjamin, Walter] Baudelaire, Charles. Tableaux Parisiens. Deutsche Übertragung mit einem Vorwort über “Die Aufgabe des Übersetzers” von Walter Benjamin. / 4. Doderer, Klaus – Walter Benjamin und die Kinderliteratur. Aspekte der Kinderkulter in den zwanziger Jahren / 5. Berger, Willy R. – Walter Benjamin als Übersetzer Baudelaires [Aufsatz in: Teilnahme und Spiegelung. Festschrift für Horst Rüdiger] / Missac, Pierre. Walter Benjamin’s Passages. / 6. [Benjamin, Walter] Leinweber, J. Walter Benjamin – Sammlung J. Leinweber. [Mit einem Vorwort von Iring Fetscher]. Marburg, Antiquariat Dr. Jörg Leinweber, 1996. / 7. Walter Benjamin, Neuester Orbis Pictus oder Die Welt in Bildern für fromme Kinder. Aus der Sammlung von Walter Benjamin. Faksimiledruck im Inselverlag. / 8. [Rang, Florens Christian / Benjamin, Walter] Rosenzweig, Franz. Der Stern der Erlösung [Hand-Exemplar / Arbeitsexemplar des Walter Benjamin-Freundes “Florens Christian Rang”. Voll signiert von Rang auf dem Titelblatt. Besitzvermerk Rang’s in Tinte. Mit interessanten Text-Markierungen Rang’s in Buntstift und Bleistift, sowie zwei Annotationen zu Text-Verweisen im hinteren Einbanddeckel. Bedeutender Fund für die Florens Christian Rang-Forschung da Walter Benjamin beide, Franz Rosenzweig und Florens Christian Rang in einem Atemzug als bedeutende Kämpfer “gegen die Idolatrie des Geistes” nennt. Die Anstreichungen in Rosenzweig’s Werk bestätigen Benjamin’s Auffassung da Sie uns erlauben Rang’s Wandlung vom Nationalisten zum politisch moderat eingestellten Konservativen teilweise nachvollziehen zu koennen. Die Publikation Rosenzweigs fällt ausserdem in die kritische Phase von Rang’s Wandlung. Die “Deutsche Bauhütte”, Rang’s publizistisches Testament seiner Entfernung vom Nationalismus, erscheint nur drei Jahre später./ Association-copy with extremely interesting text-markings and some annotations to rear pastedown by Walter Benjamin’s friend, “Florens Christian Rang”/ Of utmost interest for the evaluation of Rang’s development from nationalist to empathetic centrist. Benjamin famously mentions both, Florens Christian Rang and Franz Rosenzweig as equally important influences for his Generation in “fighting the Idolatry of the Spirit/Mind”. This makes Rang’s personal copy of Rosenzweig’s masterpiece an enormously interesting find; possibly even a key to Rang’s ideological and religious transformation]. Erste Ausgabe. Frankfurt am Main, J.Kauffmann Verlag, 1921. / 9. [Benjamin, Walter] – Walter Benjamin’s Archive – Images – Texts – Signs. Translated by Esther Leslie. Edited by Ursula Marx – Gudrun Schwarz – Michael Schwarz – Erdmut Wizisla. / 10. Walter Benjamin – Angelus Novus. Mit 4 ganzseitigen Holzschnitten von Gisela Oberbeck. Signierte, limitierte Auflage von nur 90 Exemplaren. / 11. Hans Puttnies & Gary Smith – Benjaminiana. /

Berlin and others, 1923 – 1980. Octavo. Original Hardcover / Original Softcover. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear.

Savigny, Friedrich Carl von.

Fascinating and important, international collection of more than twentyfive (25) original editions, first editions, revised and definitive editions by one of the most important figures of the german legal and historical school, Friedrich Carl von Savigny, as well as publications by his disciples, immediate circle of friends and colleagues (like Eichhorn, Rudorff and Ihering/Jhering). The collection also includes first and revised editions of translations in french and spanish as well as a large number of original first editions of lectures Savigny had given to the Academy of Sciences in Berlin (all these in original edition and separately bound) [see full list on our website under “Libraries and Collections”].

Vienna / Berlin and others, Nicolai / Veit and Comp. and others, 1803 – 1911. Octavo. Original Hardcover and Softcover. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. Several of the publications with excellent provenance. [See detailed listing on our website under “Libraries & Collections”].

[Rowe, Walter T.].

Original Numerology-Manuscript – Deciphering the Bible, Deciphering the Esoteric, Jewish, Christian, Biblical & Astrological Prophecies // Manuscript / Astrology – Occulta – Manuscript on c. 400 pages with an astonishing, meticulous Chronology and source-comparison on Prophecy, Pyramidology [″Mystery of the Great Pyramid”], Numerology, Astronomy, Astrology, Drawings and Plans of Pyramids versus Occult – Proof and meditations on the Number 666 and 888: “666 v 888 in relation to Israel”, “the opposing numbers from the original Hebrew with the “Pi sign” etc. etc. The Manuscript reads like a Self-Instruction and Proof of Thought by an Esoteric, highly religious “Truth-Seeker”, ranging from early Biblical Explanations of Historical Events to elaborate comparisons of “Bible Metallurgy” showing the “relation between practical metal work and the Bible” by comparing the architectural design of a “Blast Furnace” to “The Image of Daniel”, and continuing all the way to explanations for the Rise of Tyrants like Hitler. “Great Pi—Ratio in regard to Great War”, the “Atomic Scale” is discussed as well as the “Luciferian Sudama or Nigode Cave Temple”. The amount of connections to Jewish History is interesting: “Tracing Israel to Britain by Old Coinage”, “The Jewish Question”, “Testimony of Men of Letters as to Nationality of the British Race”, “Objections to British Israel” “The Statesmanship of Jesus”, “Fulness of the Gentiles”, “Reference to the lost House of Israel”, “Battle of the Gold Standard” etc. etc.

[Brixton], c. 1935 – 1950. Octavo (19 cm x 22,5 cm). 362 pages plus 58 pages, later inserted between page 304 and 305, plus XVIII pages of a thorough Index. With numerous illustrations and diagrams throughout the manuscript. Original Hardcover – Binder with manuscript / autographed pages. Very good condition with some minor signs of wear only. “Peel”-Memo Binder with Name-Label of the author to pastedown: “Walter T Rowe, 106, Dalberg Road, Brixton, SW2”.

Mann, Thomas.

Sammlung bedeutender Werke von Thomas Mann, viele in Erstausgaben und mit interessanter Provenienz, signierte Vorzugsausgaben mit originalen Holzschnitten, bedeutende Erstdrucke in Zeitschriften etc. [Die Sammlung ist intensiv dokumentiert auf unserer Webseite einzusehen, mit detaillierten Beschreibungen und zahlreichen, professionellen Photographien. Die Sammlung wird immer wieder erweitert, auch um interessante Reproduktionen wie den Nachdruck der Friedemann-Erstausgabe mit der Replika des originalen Schutzumschlags, seltene Ephemera etc. (Bitte interessante Ausgaben, Briefe und Vorzugsausgaben von und zu Thomas Mann und seinem Umkreis anbieten !) / Large Collection of important german publications, letters and signed editions by Thomas Mann. All editions in this collection are in the original, german language. The collection has been thoroughly documented and photographed and can be viewed in detail on our website (or ask for a full list). Die Sammlung beinhaltet vieles aber unter anderem: / Included is for example: Tod in Venedig (in der wahren Erstausgabe als Fortsetzungstext in der Neuen Rundschau von 1912) / Der Kleine Herr Friedemann in der limitierten, signierten Ausgabe mit Holzschnitten von Otto Nückel / “Fiorenza” in der originalen Broschur-Ausgabe der “Neuen Rundschau” – Zeitschrift / Konvolut von drei handschriftlichen Briefen (signiert) zwischen den Lübecker Senatoren Wilhelm Brehmer und Emil Ferdinand Fehling sowie einer sechsseitigen handschriftlichen Mitschrift einer Lübecker Bürgerschaftssitzung vom November 1898. Die Briefe zwischen den Lübecker Senatoren Wilhelm Brehmer und Emil Ferdinand Fehling (Emil Ferdinand Fehling (1847-1927) gilt als Vorlage für Dr. Moritz Hagenström in Thomas Mann’s “Buddenbrooks”).

Berlin u.a., Fischer, u.a. 1898 – Octavo. Originale Verlagsbindungen, Privatbindungen, Broschuren etc. / Original Hardcovers, private bindings, original wrappers etc. Alle Ausgaben in guter bis sehr guter Erhaltung / Overall in very good condition with some minor signs of wear only.

Cover Art Design – Fante, John / MacDonald, John D. / Rice Burroughs, Edgar / and many others.

A wonderful collection of over 900 vintage paperbacks, fastidiously hand-picked from all parts of North America by an avid and knowledgeable collector. The collection is still intact and has not been ‘robbed’ of its outstanding and often signed publications. (Please ask for detailed list). / Lovingly curated, with a particular eye for unusual titles, this collection represents mid 20th century American pop art at its best. From hard-boiled detective stories to alien invasions, from femme fatales to teenage angst, from swashbuckling buccaneers to gritty westerns, these books were collected for two reasons; their excellent condition, and their lurid, ‘one of a kind’ cover art and outrageous tag lines. The collection also contains some very scarce copies of highly collectible books, including John D Macdonald’s first book, ‘The Brass Cupcake’ and John Fante’s first paperback edition of ‘Ask the Dust’. The great paperback publishing houses are all represented here; Signet, Popular Library, Pocketbook, Penguin, Pan, Lion, Fawcett Gold Medal, and so on. This is a unique opportunity to own a highly respectable collection of 20th century publishing history.

New York and others, Signet, Popular Library, Pocketbook, Penguin, Pan, Lion, Fawcett Gold Medal, and so on, 1945 – Small Octavo. 100000 pages and more. Original, illustrated softcover. Very good+ condition with only minor signs of external wear. Price includes free courier shipment worldwide.

Dickens, Charles.

Collection of six First Editions, all bound uniformely around 1850 and all in their original state. A stunning set with nearly all of the books in their First state of First Edition printing and with all plates complete. The collection includes: Bleak House / Little Dorrit / Nicholas Nickleby / Martin Chuzzlewit / Dombey and Son / David Copperfield. A very rare occasion in which a contemporary 19th-century lover of Dickens’ Literature had all Novels in their first edition bound to his/her liking. The mid-19th-century bindings beautiful in their simplicity and uniform style.

London, Chapman and Hall, 1839 – 1857. Octavo. Hardcover / Mid-19th-century Half-Leather with gilt lettering on spine. Original marbled endpapers. Very good condition with only few layers and illustrations loosened and the usual tanning to the illustrations. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. [The David Copperfield Volume has a defect (see detailed description below)]. Perfect collection of first editions to start a Dickens-Collection in contemporary, 19th-century bindings.

Dutch Art & Design Collection – Molenaar, Frans.

Collection of important and meaningful Art, Architecture & Design Publications from the private Reference-library of Dutch Fashion – Designer Frans Molenaar / The collection includes publications on the Dutch & European History of Art, Dutch & mainly European Artist Monographs, Artist Catalogues, Art & Architecture Theory [See images for each title on our website under “Libraries & Collections” – (Look for “Molenaar Art Collection”)].

Publications in English / German / French. Paris / Amsterdam / London, 1970 – 2005. Folio / Quarto / Octavo – Formats. More than 4000 pages and hundreds of photographs. Original Hardcover & Softcover – Volumes. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. Some of the books signed or inscribed. The price for this heavy Art-Book-collection includes international shipping per Courier !

Burne-Jones, Sir Edward / Morris, William / Hastings, Percy / Whistler, L. McNeill and many others.

The Architectural Review : For the Artist & Craftsman. Volumes 1 – 30 (uninterrupted set of the first 30 Volumes published : Volume I (November – May – 1897 ) – Volume XXX (July – December 1911). The complete 15 years from 1897 to 1911 of the Art Nouveau period is resembled in these beautiful first 30 Volumes. With hundreds of illustrations on architecture and design and including several original lithographs by famous designers and artists of the time (Burne-Jones, Whistler etc.).

First Edition. 30 Volumes. London, Effingham House / Caxton House, 1897 – 1911. 23.5 cm x 32.5 cm. More than 8000 pages with hundreds of illustrations and original artwork. Original Hardcover (Green Publisher’s cloth with beautiful gilted ornament and lettering on spine). Excellent condition with only minor signs of external wear. All the Volumes firm and only very few Volumes with minor signs of external wear and some darkening to the spines. Important Source for the Arts and Crafts Movement //.

Sikes, Sylvia / [Natural History of the African Elephant]

Personal Papers / Archive of Material Related to the Life and Career of Zoologist Sylvia Sikes, the Foremost African Elephant Specialist of her time. All materials from her personal collection / working copies and manuscript material. Including her extensive, two-volume-thesis: “Cardiovascular Disease in Freeliving Wild Animals with particular Reference to the African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)”. A collection of professional and academic papers, copies of Sikes’ monographs, zoological manuscripts and a plethora of photographs and personal newsletters, letters, pamphlets and manuscripts spanning seven decades of Sikes’ personal and professional life in Africa and the UK. The collection is composed of 92 specific pieces (some of which are comprised of one or more items). A detailed bibliography of the collection has been outlined in a Word Document (please request). The collection also includes personal copies of three monographs Sylvia Sikes has published, an original copy of her two-volume doctoral thesis, 37 academic articles and 5 unpublished draft manuscripts. There are also 7 booklets and a book by a third author among the collection. The collection is rounded off by a large number of vintage colour and monochrome photographs, letters, single-sheet newsletters, newspaper and magazine cuttings.

Africa and the UK, Various, 1937 – 2012. 21 cm x 26 cm – 24.5 cm x 31 cm. Circa 2,500+ pages. Numerous monochrome and colour photographs throughout the collection. Includes Hardcover book with dustjacket, softcover book, reprints of academic journal articles in paper wrappers and a variety of loose material in cellophane files. The archive, running from 1937 to 2012, is contained in two green (24.5 cm x 31 cm x 10.5 cm) boxes, four additional folders (32 cm x 24 cm) and two hardcover volumes (21.5 cm x 26cm). Very good condition.

Foster, Vere [Henry Louis / Lewis] / [Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire].

The Two Duchesses – Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire – Family Correspondence of and Relating to Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, Earl of Bristol (Bishop of Derby), The Countess of Bristol, Lord and Lady Byron, The Earl of Aberdeen, Sir Augustus Foster Bart, and Others, 1777-1859. First Edition. With 17 illustrations.

London / Glasgow and Dublin, Blackie & Son Limited, 1898. Octavo (16 cm x 22,5 cm). XII, 497 pages with 16 full-page-illustrations and one small vignette, showing the Two Duchesses in cordial embrace. Hardcover / Original, green publisher’s cloth with gilt lettering and ornament to spine and armorial supralibro to cover with the Motto of the “British chivalric Order of the Garter”: “Honi soit qui mal y pense” [″shame on anyone who thinks evil of it”]. Very good condition with some minor signs of wear only. “Presentation Copy of “The Two Duchesses” with Autograph / Manuscript – Letter by Vere Foster to his niece, Emily Albinia “Alba” Foster. With a stunning, unpublished, two-page manuscript letter, revealing several important details about the immediately favorable reviews and reception of the book “Two Duchesses” [″in the Daily Telegraph”] and Vere Foster’s disdain about some criticism from one J.Donohue [which led to an alteration in the second edition of the book]. Vere Foster is also expecting a review to appear in the “Athenaeum” but reports: “the Athenaeum has nothing yet”. Vere Foster apologizes to his niece for the delay in sending the book and explains that he had left 12 “parcels” with Blackie’s agent and gave instructions to send them, but a few days later found they had been “untouched”. One of the most important finds of Vere Foster – Material in recent years with no sign of similar material on offer in the past years on the international market.

Foster, Vere [Henry Louis / Lewis] / [Emily Albinia “Alba” Foster] / [Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire].

Amazing Vere Foster-Collection including Educational Materials and as a centerpiece the “Presentation Copy of “The Two Duchesses” with Autograph / Manuscript – Letter by Vere Foster to his niece, Emily Albinia “Alba” Foster. With a stunning, unpublished, two-page-letter, revealing several important details about the immediately favorable reviews and reception of the book [″in the Daily Telegraph”] and Vere Foster’s disdain about some criticism from one J.Donohue [which led to an alteration in the second edition of the book]. Vere Foster is also expecting a review to appear in the “Athenaeum” but reports “the Athenaeum has nothing yet”. Vere Foster apologizes to his niece for the delay in sending the book and explains that he had left 12 “parcels″£ with Blackie’s agent and gave instructions to send them but a few days later found they had been “untouched”. / The Two Duchesses – Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire – Family Correspondence of and Relating to Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, Earl of Bristol (Bishop of Derby), The Countess of Bristol, Lord and Lady Byron, The Earl of Aberdeen, Sir Augustus Foster Bart, and Others, 1777-1859. [See Full list of items which are part of this collection, on our website under the topic “Libraries & Collections”].

First Edition. London / Glasgow and Dublin, Blackie & Son Limited, 1898. Octavo (15 cm x 22 cm). Pagination: Frontispiece, IX, [3], 497 pages with 18 Illustrations (including frontispiece and one Vignette of the two Duchesses opposite page 1). Hardcover / Original, publisher’s green cloth with gilt lettering on spine. Very good condition with some minor signs of wear only. This is an astonishing find for the Vere Foster Research Community and the letter gives significant insight into the importance the publication had for him, its reception as seen by Vere Foster and it solves the riddle why an altertaion was necessary for the second edition [which Vere Foster explains in a brief note to the reader at the beginning of the second edition]. The heartfelt inscription to his niece Albinia Foster is also of great importance and to our knowledge the only presentation-copy of this book on the international market for the several decades we can look back at auction records.

[Rang, Florens Christian / Benjamin, Walter] Rosenzweig, Franz.

Der Stern der Erlösung [Personal copy of Walter Benjamin’s friend “Florens Christian Rang” / Persönliches Exemplar aus der Bibliothek des Walter Benjamin-Freundes “Florens Christian Rang”. Voll signiert von Rang auf dem Titelblatt. Besitzvermerk von Florens Christian Rang in Tinte. Mit sehr interessanten Text-Markierungen in Buntstift und Bleistift, sowie zwei Annotationen zu Text-Verweisen im hinteren Einbanddeckel [hier kann nicht einwandfrei gesagt werden ob alle Anstreichungen von Rang sind da es zwei Formen von Anstreichungen gibt / Rang selbst hat nachweislich auch mit Buntstift markiert]. Die Handschrift mit dem Textverweis im Innendeckel deckt sich nicht mit online verfuegbaren Schriftproben Rang’s (siehe Abbildungen auf der Webseite des Florens Christian Rang Archivs)]. Bedeutender Fund für die Florens Christian Rang-Forschung da Walter Benjamin beide, Franz Rosenzweig und Florens Christian Rang, in seinem Essay, “Privilegiertes Denken – Zu Theodor Haeckers Vergil”, in einem Atemzug als bedeutende Kämpfer “gegen die Idolatrie des Geistes” nennt. Leider wird Benjamin’s Erwähnung von Rosenzweig und Rang oft nur verkürzt zitiert obwohl Benjamin in seinem Essay [1932] zu Haecker’s Vergil-Polemik noch einen Schritt weitergeht und die Bedeutung von entschärfenden, informierten und kompetenten Stimmen wie Rosenzweig und Rang hervorhebt. Benjamin schreibt in der wichtigen Passage: “Es ist nicht unsere Schuld, wenn der Verfasser [Haecker] das realpolitische Äquivalent seiner »Idee des Men­schen« in so peinliche Nähe rückt: jenes, im drastischen Sinne privilegierte, Verständnis der nichtabendländischen Völker, welches gekennzeichnet ist durch das Ineinanderwirken von Ausbeutung und Mission. So pflegt nun einmal die Kontrebande auszuschauen, die in das Musselin des reinen Geistes gewickelt, die Reisenden nach Wolkenkuckucksheim mit sich führen. Am allerwenigsten sollte die Theologie ein solches Wolkenkuckucksheim sein. Es sind denn auch in der Tat theologische Denker gewesen, die gerade in unserer Generation erschienen, um den Kampf gegen die Idolatrie des Geistes aufzunehmen: der Jude Franz Rosenzweig von der Sprache, der Protestant Florens Christian Rang von der Politik her. Nun hält allerdings auch Haecker sich für einen Sprachdenker so gut wie er ein Politiker ist, wennschon er vielleicht vorzieht, nicht dafür zu gelten. Aber das eben schließt ihn aus der Reihe der echten theologischen Denker aus, daß er die Philosophie der Sprache wie der Politik vom Geiste aus handhaben zu können meint, ohne weder mit der Philologie noch mit der Ökonomie näher sich einzulassen. Freilich – und so erst rückt der Sachverhalt ins rechte Licht – bei Rosenzweig und vollends bei Rang handelt es sich um häretisch gestimmte Männer, denen es nichts Unmögliches ist, die Tradition auf ihrem eigenen Rücken zu befördern, statt sie seßhaft zu verwalten.” Die zahlreichen und sehr aufschlussreichen Anstreichungen in Rosenzweig’s Werk, bestätigen Benjamin’s Auffassung, da Sie uns erlauben Rang’s Transformierung vom Nationalisten zum politisch moderat eingestellten Konservativen, teilweise nachvollziehen zu können. Die Publikation Rosenzweigs fällt ausserdem in die kritische Phase von Rang’s Wandlung. Die “Deutsche Bauhütte”, Rang’s publizistisches Testament seiner Entfernung vom Nationalismus, erschien nur drei Jahre später. Die vorliegende Ausgabe ist eindrucksvoller Nachweis für die immer neue Bereitschaft Rangs zur völligen Aufgabe seiner Ideale und zur Offenheit gegenüber einem philosophischen und politischen Erweckungserlebnisses, begonnen mit der Abkehr vom Christentum und vollzogen mit der Lektüre des Magnum Opus eines jüdischen Philosophen dessen Werk er mit seinem Besitzeintrag für sich ganz privat legitimiert. Zum Zeitpunkt der Lektüre von Rosenzweig’s “Stern der Erlösung”, hatte Rang bereits durch Mitarbeit im Forte-Kreis seine wilhelminischen “Phantasmagorien einer preussischen Religion” [Christine Holste – “Der Forte-Kreis 910 – 1915”] abgelegt und war durch solch disperaten Kontakte wie zu Martin Buber und Gustav Landauer ein Kandidat für eben jene Evolution die Benjamin in ihm spüren musste. Benjamin, der Rang nicht nur persönlich kannte sondern ihn auch “erkannte”, schrieb an Scholem, dass er „seltsamerweise […] diesem Mann, ebenso wie seine Unterstützung und Bestätigung, das zu danken vermochte und danken mußte, was ich von deutscher Bildung Wesentlichstes in mich aufgenommen habe. Denn nicht nur, daß in diesem Bereiche die Hauptgegenstände unserer beharrlichen Betrachtung fast sämtlich dieselben waren – das Leben, das in diesen großen Gegenständen lebt, habe ich menschlich ganz allein in ihm lebendig gesehen, ausbrechend mit desto mehr vulkanischer Gewaltsamkeit, als es unter der Kruste des übrigen Deutschland erstarrt lag. Wenn ich mit ihm sprach, war nicht sowohl Harmonie in unsern Gedanken, als daß ich, wetterfest und athletisch, an dem unmöglichen, zerrissenen Massiv der seinigen mich versuchte und oft genug eine Zinne mit weitem Ausblick auf eigne unerschlossne Gedankenbereiche gewann. Sein Geist war von Wahnsinn durchzogen wie ein Massiv von Schluchten. Aber durch die Moralität dieses Mannes gewann Wahnsinn keine Macht über ihn.” / Of utmost interest for the evaluation of Rang’s development from nationalist to empathetic centrist. Benjamin famously mentions both, Florens Christian Rang and Franz Rosenzweig as equally important influences for his Generation in “fighting the Idolatry of the Spirit/Mind”. This makes Rang’s personal copy of Rosenzweig’s masterpiece an enormously interesting find; possibly even a key to Rang’s ideological and religious transformation].

Erste Ausgabe. Frankfurt am Main, J.Kauffmann Verlag, 1921. Oktav (16 cm x 22,5 cm). 532, [2] Seiten. Hardcover / Originaler Verlagseinband mit illustriertem und beschriftetem Einbanddeckel. Die seltene Publikation, aus der Bibliothek von Florens Christian Rang, wurde mit einem neuen Einbandrücken versehen und das originale Rückenschildchen wurde neu aufgezogen. Die Bindung ist firm, die originalen Vorsatzblätter wurden erhalten. Das sonst notorisch schlecht erhaltene Papier der Publikation, hier generell in aussergewöhnlich guter Erhaltung; allerdings mit einigen kleineren Schäden: Kleine Einrisse ohne Textverlust auf den Seiten 7-8 / Sehr feine Einrisse ohne Textverlust auf den Seiten 207 – 210 / Unschöne Ausrisse mit nur geringem Textverlust am Rand der Seiten 409 – 414.

One of the most beautiful works of 18th century Illustrated Italian History – Bartoli, Pietro Santi / Giacomo de Rossi / [Trajan – Caesar Nerva Trajanus].

Colonna Traiana [The rare 18th-century Folio-Edition on Trajan’s Column, in which, atypically, all Oblong-Folio-Planches have a centerfold and which includes the often missing, large 1,1 meter – foldout-plan of Trajan’s Column] – Colonna Traiana Eretta Dal Senato, E Popolo Romano All’Imperatore Traiano Augusto Nel Suo Foro In Roma. Scolpita Con L’Historie Della Guerra Dacica La Prima E La Seconda Espeditione, E Vittoria Contro Il Re Decebalo. Nuovamente Disegnata, Et Intagliata Da Pietro Santi Bartoli. Con L’Espositione Latina D’Alfonso Ciaccone, Compendiata Nella Vulgare Lingua Sotto Ciascuna Immagine, Accresciuta Di Medaglie, Inscrittioni, E Trofei, Da Gio. Pietro Bellori. Con diligente cura, e spesa ridotta à perfettione, e data in luce da Gio. Giacomo de Rossi dalle sue stampe, in Roma, alla Pace con Privilegio del S. Pontefice.

Roma, [Giacomo de Rossi] alla Pace con Privilegio del S. Pontefice, [1751]. Folio: (26.5 cm wide x 37 cm high). All planches usually in Oblong-Folio are center-folded in this version, allowing it to be bound in Folio. Pagination: 9 unnumbered plates, [including titlepage, engraved dedication to Louis XIV, and also the large Trajan-Foldout, measuring 110 cm x 36 cm)], followed by 119 plates folded into 238 plates, [while our copy is lacking the 14 pages with Alphonso Ciacono’s “Historia Utriusque Belli Dacici A Trajano Cæsare” and Index and Colophon at the end of the Volume, this flaw is rather unimportant because this Volume is all about the masterful art of over 125 engravings and the powerful Homage by Pietro Santi Bartoli to Trajan, Rome’s “Optimus Princeps”]. Fully restored Folio in dark green Morocco, bound to 18th century – style by an english master-bindery. Unusually excellent condition with the tiniest of wormhole-damage to the Dedication pages. The plates all in exceptional condition. The large Column-Plate spellbinding.

[Chester Beatty, Sir Alfred] Holme, Charles (Charles Rennie Mackintosh / Charles Voysey and others).

The Studio: an illustrated magazine of fine and applied art. Alfred Chester Beatty’s personal set of “The Studio”; 97 volumes bound in 69 books with the Register for Vols 1-29 [Lacking Volume 61]. With original artwork by James McNeill Whistler and other important artists of the Belle Époque and Art Nouveau Movement.

97 Volumes (bound in 69 Volumes). London, Offices of The Studio, 1893 – 1929. Quarto. c. 20000 pages with illustrations, photographs, original lithographs, engravings. Contemporary private Hardcover (Uniform deep blue buckram with gilt lettering on spinelabels). Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. Only a few of the Volumes a little shaky. With the handwritten entry “A. Chester Beatty – 24 Kensington Palace Gardens – W. 8”.

Edwards, Jonathan.

A careful and strict Enquiry into the Modern Prevailing Notions of that Freedom of Will, which is supposed to be essential to Moral Agency, Virtue and Vice, Reward and Punishment, Praise and Blame.

First British Edition. Boston / London, Re-Printed for Thomas Field, 1762. Octavo. IX, [5], 414, [8] pages plus two pages of advertising for Jonathan Edwards’ “Treatise concerning Religious Effections”. Hardcover / Original 18th century calf, rebacked with new spine and spinelabel. Interior all original and besides some minor signs of foxing in very good condition. Name of preowner in ink on titlepage. Binding overall excellent with only minor signs of external wear. A very rare and important book.

[Gill, William Daniel (W.D.) / Naylor, David (Dave).

Collection of Printed Materials / Offprints / Publications / Papers, Essays by english geologist, William Daniel Gill (1916 – 1922). This extensive collection of materials, authored by this eminent geologist, was part of the Reference-library of his colleague David (Dave) Naylor. You find a detailed account of the publications at the end of this description. The collection also includes the original offprint of his landmark-publication “Sand Volcanoes on Slumps in the Carboniferous of County Clare, Ireland”, which he authored together with P.H.Kuehnen in 1957.

England / Ireland, c.1950 – 1990. Octavo / Quarto. Hardcover Box / Bespoke made Box, labelled “General Gill” , for the private library of Prof.David (Dave) Naylor. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear.