History & Culture
Windows into worlds gone by, a vast store of history. Both the iconic and the less well-known is here. Together with forgotten byways and things not found anywhere else. Here is also Americana, Crime, Feminism, Occultism,Archaeology, and Ethnography.
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1925 La Creation de VersaillesParis: 1925The first edition of this volume concerning the creation of Versailles, re-issued for Paul de Nolhac's series retracing the history of the chateau du Versailles.
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1862 La BretagneParis: 1862The second revised edition of this historical travelogue of Brittany, beautifully decorated with illustrations by various artists.
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1899 L'Ile de FrancePort-Louis, Ile Maurice : 1899A very scarce first edition of this historical sketch of the Ile de France, complete in four parts.
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1665 Journal de Monsieur le Cardinal Duc de RichelieuParis: 1665A later printing of this collection of seventeenth century memoirs of Cardinal Duc de Richelieu, complete with two parts in one volume.
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1829 A Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada from the MSS. of Fray Antonio AgapidaLondon: 1829A very smart, first UK edition copy of this historical account of the conquest of Granada, published the same year as the true first US edition.
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1903 Musee PrehistoriqueParis: 1903A prehistorical study by G. and A. Mortillet, illustrated with one hundred and fifty plates, the second edition.
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1949 The Golden Bough, A Study in Magic and ReligionLondon: 1949A very smart copy of the abridged edition of this work on the history of magic and religion in Europe.
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1902 Battles of the Nineteenth CenturyLondon: 1902A heavily illustrated historical account of the most historical battles during the nineteenth-century, published early in the twentieth century.
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1878 The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and WalesLondon: 1878The first edition of Sir Bernard Burke's extensive study of English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh armoury, illustrated throughout.
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1993 Pax Britannica TrilogyLondon: 1993A nicely bound three volume set from the Folio Society, containing a history of the British Empire by Jan Morris, with a range of illustrated plates.
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1893 Historic WarwickshireLondon: 1893The second edition of this fascinating late 19th century historical work of Warwickshire, heavily illustrated throughout.
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1897 The Dungeons of Old ParisNew York and London: 1897A historical sketch of the history of the most renowned Parisian prisons of the Monarchy and Revolution, the first edition.
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1783 Fables by the Late Mr GayLondon: 1783A later edition of the notable fables by John Gay, with some lovely decorative engravings in text.
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1997 VeniceCologne : 1997A complete two volume set of this study of Venetian art and architecture, some beautiful copies in the original illustrated slipcase. The first English language edition.
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1812 The History and Antiquities of the Deanery of Craven in the County of YorkLondon: 1812A fasinating and comprehensive early 19th century work on the history and antiquities of the Deanery of Craven in York, replete with many engraved and folding plates.
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1849-50 3vols Southey's Common-Place BookLondon: 1849-1850An early edition set of three volumes from Southey's Common-Place Book series, comprised of an interesting range of essays and extracts.
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2002 The Temple of Olympian ZeusAthens: 2002An oblong large paper copy of this limited edition celebration of classical Athenian architecture, with numerous illustrations; a very scarce copy.
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1802 Life of Bonaparte First Consul of FranceLondon: 1802The first English edition of this uncommon biographical work on Napoleon Bonaparte, published in the early nineteenth century.
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1814 Copies of the Original Letters and Despatches of the Generals Ministers Grand Officers of State, &c at Paris to The Emperor NapoleonJohn Murray: 1814A handsomely bound collection of copied letters exchanged between Napoleon Bonaparte and his leading generals, intercepted by allied troops.
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1798 Copies of the Original Letters From the Army of General Bonaparte in Egypt, Intercepted by the Fleet Under the Command of Admiral Lord NelsonLondon: 1798A very smart collection of the letters of Bonaparte's army written during his failed campaign in Egypt and Syria, illustrated with a folding map.
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1943 The Silver CrescentLondon: 1943A limited edition work by Somerset de Chair, recounting his experiences in World War Two, in the binding by Sangorski & Sutcliffe.
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1838 Evenings with Prince Cambacérès, Second Consul, Arch-Chancellor of the EmpirePhiladelphia: 1838A smart copy of this early nineteenth century collection of memoirs from conversations the author, Baron Langon, had with the Prince of Cambacérès.
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1801 Marengo; or the Campaign of ItalyLondon: 1801A handsomely bound, very scarce work on Marengo, the Campaign of Italy, and a brief biography of General Desaix, with a frontispiece and folding map.
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1823 Campaign of the Left Wing of the Allied Army, in the Western PyreneesLondon: 1823A scarce leather-bound copy detailing the military campaign of the War of the Pyrenees, written by English army officer and artist Robert Batty with a folding map to front of text.
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1830 The History of Napoleon BuonaparteLondon: 1830An illustrated edition of Lockhart's popular biography on Napoleon Buonaparte, a detailed biography on the military leader.
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1817 Interesting Facts Relating to the Fall and Death of Joachim MuratLondon: 1817A handsomely bound copy of this very scarce work on the life and death of King Joachim Murat of Naples, written by Colonel Francis Maceroni.
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1829 Narrative of the Peninsular War, From 1808 to 1813London: 1829An uncommon memoir by Charles Vane, recounting his experiences during the Peninsular War, this being the third edition of this work.
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1809 A Narrative of the Campaign of the British Army in Spain, CommandedLondon: 1809A second edition copy of this military memoir, concerning Moore's Campaign in Spain during the Peninsular War, with two folding maps in a modern half-calf binding.
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1820 Memoirs of the Court of Westphalia Under Jerome BonaparteLondon: 1820A very scarce work on the court of Westphalia under the rule of Jerome Bonaparte, the younger brother of Napoleon Bonaparte.
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1910 The French Revolution A Political History 1789-1804New York: 1910A scarce four volume set detailing the political history behind the French Revolution, originally published in French by A. Aulard and translated into English by Bernard Miall.
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1815 The Life and Campaigns of Field-Marshal Prince BlucherLondon: 1815The first English edition of this biography on the life and military career of Field-Marshal Prince Blucher, replete with engraved and folding plates.
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1891 Memoirs of Napoleon BonaparteNew York: 1891A complete three volume set which contains a descriptive biography of the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, written by a range of authors including De Bourrienne, Creasy, and de Remusat, thoroughly illustrated throughout the text.
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1796 A History of the Campaigns of General PichegruLondon: 1796A handsomely bound copy of this scarce work on the military campaigns of 18th century French general Jean-Charles Pichegru.
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1911 Aux pays de Napoleon L'Italie 1796-97-1800Grenoble: 1911A beautifully illustrated work on Napoleon's experiences in Italy, presented in a half- morocco binding with a range of illustrations throughout text.
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1817 History of the Wars Since the French Revolution, From the Commencement of HostilitiesLondon: 1817A very scarce study into the Napoleonic Wars, published only a couple of years after the ending of the Wars, complete with plates and a folding map.
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1914 Napoleon I: A BiographyLondon: 1914A two volume set containing the English translation of Fournier's biography of Napoleon Bonaparte, nicely illustrated with frontispieces and folding maps to the rear of both volumes.