21. Vallancey, Charles / Piers, Sir Henry [Provenance: Abraham Abell (Cork City)].

Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis – Five-Volume-Set with thirteen (13) Numbers (I – XIII) plus “A Vindication of the Ancient History of Ireland” and “Anecdotes of Chess in Ireland”. [See full list of Numbers, Chapters and Illustrations below and detailed images on our website].

Dublin, Thomas Ewing, 1770 – 1790. Octavo (13,5 cm wide x 21,5 cm high). Pagination: Volume I (contains Numbers I, II, III, IV): Frontispiece-Portrait, XIV, [6 unnumbered pages of “Contents”], 636 pages, [2] pages with the contents-page misbound [2], and 24 pages on “The Brehon Laws of Ireland” to the rear of the Volume. Volume I includes three illustrations (including the Large Folding-Map of Meath)/ Volume II (contains Numbers V, VI, VII, VIII, IX): 562 pages and 10 illustrations (including the Large Folding-Plan of the City of Kilkenny) / Volume III (contains Numbers X, XI, XII): LXX, 682 pages with one illustration (being the Large Fold-Out-Map of “Antient Ireland” by William Beauford) and VI Tables on two large sheets in the rear of the Volume (containing Orthography/Names of Numbers in different Languages, Names of Numbers of some of the Indians of America etc. etc. compared to the antient Irish) / Volume IV (contains Number XIII of Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis and “A Vindication of the Ancient History of Ireland” by Charles Vallancey”): LX, 161 pages (being the end of Number XIII), plus Pagination for “The Vindication of the Ancient History of Ireland”: Frontispiece-Map of Europe and Asia, XLVIII, 551 pages, followed by 16 unnumbered pages of an Index for “The Ancient History of Ireland”, followed by X (10) Plates (mainly fold-out plates with numerous illustrations for the “Ancient History of Ireland”, aslo included is a text-illustration “Inscription in the Cave of New Grange (page 212). / Volume V of Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis: 368 pages plus Hardcover / Original 19th century full-leather with gilt lettering and ornament to spine. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Spine of Volume Three is coming apart. From the library of Cork Antiquarian Abraham Abell, with an inscription and original manuscript letter by his friend and “Brother Antiquarian”, John Bennett, 9 Academy St., 18th September, 1841.

22. Barry, Sir Edward / [Provenance: Charles Robert Scott-Murray (British Conservative politician)].

Observations Historical, Critical and Medical On The Wines Of The Ancients. And the Analogy between them and Modern Wines. With General Observations on the Principles and Qualities of Water, and in Particular on Those of Bath [The City of Bath in Somerset]. Indagatio ipsa rerum tum maximarum tum etiam occultissimarum habet oblectationem. Si vero aliquid occuret quod verisimile videatur, humanissimacompletur animus volupate. CIC. in Lucullo. By Sir Edward Barry, Bart. Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and of the Royal Society.

First and only Edition. London, Printed for T.Cadell, in the Strand, 1775. Quarto (22.5 cm wide x 27 cm high). Pagination: Frontispice Engraving and Title Vignette by eminent english engraver, Isaac Taylor (1730-1807), XII, 479 pages, including an Appendix which is included in the pagination but focuses on an entirey of 58 pages on “Modern Wines” and their behaviours after being imported etc. Includes the Errata leaf to the rear. Original full calf with gilt lettering on spine. Front board cleanly detached. Bookblock in excellent, very clean condition and unusually wide margined for an 18th century Quarto. Provenance: This very rare publication by Cork City – born physician and MP, Sir Edward Barry, is known to be a pioneering study “in the scientific [and medical] analysis of wine, [it was] an influential work on the history of wine which ‘combined a good knowledge of classical literature, chemistry and worldly wisdom’ (Ó Raifeartaigh, 2)” (DIB). Provenance: The book has a fascinating history of provenance and belonged to two important libraries, manifested by two armorial bookplates, preserved on the pastedown and the endpaper. Provenance I: Charles Robert Scott-Murray (1818-1882) of Danesfield House in Medmenham, near Marlow, Buckinghamshire / Provenance II: The book was held until recently in one of the world’s most important collections on Wine and Oenology: The Library of Dr. Friedrich von Bassermann-Jordan (Bookplate present). The price of this book includes a repair or new binding to the liking of the buyer and also included is the creation of a Solander Box.

23. Mason, Charlotte.

The Lady’s Assistant – For regulating and supplying her Table; Being a Complete System of Cookery containing one hundred and fifty Bills of Fare, properly disposed for Family Dinners of Five Dishes, to Two Courses of Eleven and Fifteen ; with Upward of Fifty Bills of Fare for Suppers from Five Dishes to Nineteen ; and Several Deserts ; Including Likewise The Fullest and choicest Receipts of Various Kinds, With Full Directions for preparing them in the most approved Manner, from which a continual Change may be made, as wanted, in the several Bills of Fare : Published from the Manuscript collection of Mrs. Charlotte Mason, A Professed Housekeeper, who had upwards of Thirty Years Experience in Families of the first Fashion.

The Fourth Edition. Dublin, Printed for Robert Burton, 1778. Octavo. 446 pages plus 10 pages [of 16] of Index. Original Full 18th century Leather, restored and repaired in the 20th century. Front free endpaper missing. LAst few pages of Index missing. Pages a bit rough. Former copy of an Elise Lean, Cork.

24. [Mirror Club, The] / Henry Mackenzie / William Craig / Alexander Abercromby / Alexander Fraser Tytler.

The Mirror – A Periodical Paper, Published at Edinburgh in the Years 1779 and 1780 [″Veluti in Specula”].

Fourth Edition overall [First Dublin Edition]. In Two Volumes (complete set). Dublin, Printed by T.Henshall for T.Walker, 1782. Small Octavo (10 cm x 18 cm). VI, 288, VIII, 288 pages. Hardcover / Original 18th century leather with new spinelabels, made to style. Both Volumes now in protective Mylar. Some minor wormhole-damage to the last 20 pages of Volume Two.Minor lesions to some pages only. Faded dampstain to both Volumes. Still, both Volumes firm and complete. Important scottish enlightenment publication. From the library of one “John Courtenay”, with his name in ink on the titlepages of both Volumes. This is possibly John Courtenay (22 August 1738 – 24 March 1816), who was an Irish officer in the British Army, later becing a politician in England. He was a Whig member of Parliament (MP) at Westminster from 1780 to 1807, and again in 1812. (Wikipedia)

25. Sheridan, Thomas / [Benjamin Franklin (mentioned as Subscriber with his address as Ambassador in Paris) / George Washington (mentioned as Subscriber)].

A General Dictionary of the English Language – One main Object of which, is, to establish a plain and permanent Standard of Pronunciation. To which is Prefixed A Rhetorical Grammar. Dedicated to the Volunteers of Ireland. [Including a List of Subscribers mentioning among others also: “Benjamin Franklin (Esq. Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of North America, at Paris, who ordered 20 copies)” / Mentioning also as Subscriber: “His Excellency General George Washington, Commander in Chief of all the Forces of the United States of North America”)].

First Dublin Edition. Dublin, Printed by P.Wogan at The Old Bridge and P.Byrne, College-Green, 1784. Octavo (14 cmx 21 cm). [10], LXIX, 825 [unnumbered] pages. Including a lenghty section mentioning the Irish Subscribers to this Dictionary with name and town. Hardcover / Original 18th century full leather with original, red spine-label with gilt lettering. In protective Mylar. Binding rubbed and with some minor loss to leather. The binding firm and strong and endpapers and pastdeowns intact and NOT cracked ! Small signs of a faded dampstain without any consequence to the very good condition throughout. One page with a tear (Letter G). The unpaginated section was collated as complete.

26. [Luckombe, Philip / Smith, Charles].

Luxury Reprint of “The Compleat Irish Traveller” [With high quality Reproductions of the 31 original Plates of detailed Maps of County Cork in the 18th century, County Kerry in the 18th century and Waterford in the 18th century, as well as some of the earliest engravings of Irish Towns here for the first time reproduced as beautiful Artworks for framing and housed in a special, handmade Folder. The publication was just recently enlarged with a detailed, Topographical Index (July 2023)]. Complete Title: “The Compleat Irish Traveller, containing A general Description of the most Noted Cities, Towns, Seats, Buildings, Loughs &c. in the Kingdom of Ireland, Interspersed with Observations on the Manners, Customs, Antiquities, Curiosities and Natural History of that Country. With Elegant Copper Plates”. [With 31 original Plates after Charles Smith, including Frontispiece, this Reprint / Facsimile is the result of 10 years of research and purchase of three (3) original versions of the First Edition from the year 1788. The first Editions known to Inanna Rare Books all had different quantities of Plates and Maps included. This Reprint by Inanna Rare Books has been produced from an extremely clean version of the original and shows the most complete set of illustrations and XL-Size Maps and Artworks we could find in any of the original editions. The publication shows not only Maps of County Cork, County Kerry and County Waterford but also Views of Irish Cities and Towns in these Counties of the Province of Munster and besides the wonderful Historical Plan of Cork City this set also includes the very rare Plan of the “Grand Canal from Dublin to the River Shannon” (see detailed list of all the illustrations present at the end of this description)].

Luxury Limited-Edition-Reprint of the First Edition by Luckombe in 1788. Two Volumes plus extra Folder with 31 Plates reprinted as Artworks for framing. Skibbereen (County Cork), Inanna Rare Books Publishing, 1788. Octavo (13.5 cm x 21 cm). Pagination: Volume I: Frontispiece, engraved Titlepage, XXX, 189 pages plus recently published Index (July, 2023) / Volume II: Engraved Titlepage, 263 pages plus recently published Index (July, 2023). Plus large, bespoke made Folder with thirtyone (31) Reproductions of the Maps, Plans and Illustrations which usually were folded inside this publication and now for the first time have been liberated from the book and were published as the beautiful works of art they are. Textvolume: Volume I and II of the text bound in one beautiful half-leather-volume with gilt lettering on spine, bound in the style of the 18th century / Illustrations-Folder with 31 reprinted illustrations of Towns and Maps of Ireland but mainly of Munster, bound in bespoke made half-cloth with paper-covered boards and pasted Reprint of the original titlepage. Excellent, new condition. One of only 300 printed. [Inanna Rare Books – Reprint & Facsimile – Series].

27. [Knox, William] / [McNally, Leonard / United Irishmen] / [Warner William Westenra, 2nd Baron Rossmore].

Extra Official State Papers. Addressed to The Right Hon. Lord Rawdon and the Other Members of the Two House of Parliament, Associated for the Preservation of the Constitution and Promoting the Prosperity of the British Empire. By a Late Under Secretary of State [William Knox].

London, J.Debrett, 1789. 8°. 49, [1], 14, [2], 174 [2] pages plus Errata-leaf. Original Hardcover. Contemporary Irish calf with gilt lettering and ornament on spine / edges in light green. Neatly rebacked. Gilt ornaments on spine with beautiful original spinelabel. In overall excellent condition. This thoughtful work on Irish politics and history was written by an Irish-born government official, and subsequently owned by two significant figures in Irish history, both of whom have left their mark on it. The first was the spy and co-founder of the United Irishmen, Leonard Macnally who has signed and annotated the text, followed by Warner William Westenra second Baron Rossmore who has left his notes and jottings on the Act of Union.

28. Dungiven / Banagher Glen – Anonymous.

Near Dungiven with Banagher Glen.

Original, late 18th century, early 19th century Watercolour of scenery near Dungiven (County Londonderry). [Dungiven], c.1790-1810. 24 cm x 16.3 cm. Besides some darkening to one part of the image in very good condition.

29. [Wherland, James Richard (M.D. Cork)] Hamilton, Alexander.

Outlines of the Theory and Practice of Midwifery [Personal copy of Cork Doctor James Richard Wherland (son of Cork Engineer James Wherland (1815-1889)].

Third Edition, Improved. London, Printed for T.Kay / Sold by W.Creech, 1791. Octavo. XIII, 426 pages. Hardcover / Original, full leather with original spine-label with gilt lettering on spine. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Remains of abookplate to pastedown. From the personal library of Cork Doctor James Richard Wherland with his entry to the endpaper: “James Richard Wherland – Medical Student – Cork”.

30. Gilpin, William. [Castle-Freke Library Bookplates]

Collection of four Volumes (bound in two) by Gilpin – All from the historical library at Castle Freke (Castlefreke, West Cork / Ireland). The Volumes include: I. & II. Observations Relative Chiefly to Picturesque Beauty, Made in the Year 1776, on Several Parts of Great Britain; particularly the High-Lands of Scotland. [Second Edition, with an “Account of the Prints” bound to the rear] / III. Observations on the River Wye and several Parts of South Wales &c. relative chiefly to Picturesque Beauty; Made in the summer of the Year 1770 (Third Edition). / IV. An Essay on Prints – [″The chief intention of the following work was to put the elegant amusement of collecting prints, on a more rational footing; by giving the unexperienced collector a few principles and cautions to assist him”] (Fourth Edition with the printed dedication “To the Honorable Horace Walpole in Deference to his Taste in the Polite Arts; and the Valuable Researches he has made to improve them; the following work is inscribed by his most obedient and very humble servant, William Gilpin”). [Volumes I & II with 40 original illustrations and vintage 18th century maps [correctly 39 illustrations and one table], for example of Loch Lomond and the Firth of Forth/ all illustrations are vintage mezzotint-plates].

Mixed Editions. Four Volumes (bound in two). London, Printed for R. Blamire, Strand, 1792. Octavo. Pagination: Volume I: XI, [1], 221 pages with 24 mezzotints / Volume II: 195, XVI pages with 16 mezzotints and an “Account of the Prints” as well as “Translations of Latin Passages” / [Volume III]: [River Wye]: XVI, 152 pages with 16 (of 17) full – page mezzotints / [Volume IV]: [An Essay on Prints]: XIII, [3], 174 pages plus XI pages Index and 1 page Errata. Hardcover / Early 19th century quarter – morocco with gilt lettering and ornament on spine. Both volumes bound in unison. Very good + condition with only minor signs of external wear. Pages 185 – 191 of Volume I with some stronger browning. Otherwise the interior very clean. All mezzotints in very good or even better condition. This is the original copy from the historical Castle-Freke Library in West Cork (Ireland), with two armorial bookplates to front and rear pastedown with the family’s motto ‘Pro Patria’. With two pages of manuscript annotations by a contemporary hand with a reference between the common name “Tarbet” in Scotland and a place-name in County Kerry in Ireland” (pages 13 of Volume II) / another entry is on page 12 of Volume II regarding the name-sake “Loch-Loung” for a Lake of ships in Scotland and Ireland.