ORGANON OF HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE, by Samuel HAHNEMANN. Second American Edition. Translated from the British Translation of the Fourth German Edition.

Published by William Radde, New York; and James Leath, London, 1843.

Hardcover book, cloth covered boards, gilt titling and design to the front cover, 6.5x9 inches. Pagination: xxiii, [9]-212 pages.

Copy of "E. NOTT, M.D.", with his bookplate on the front pastedown. (The "HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY" elected E. NOTT, M.D. as a member in 1869.)

There is an interesting handwritten comment in the margin at the bottom of page 39, the page where Digitalis Purpurea is discussed and its virtues extolled. The marginalia reads: "A friend of mine was killed by Digitalis, administered to subdue his pulse. It brought on mania, characterized by self accusations, and he died miserably." Wonder if it was written by E. Nott, M.D.?

FAIR condition, the covers have a bit of chipping at the ends but remain sturdy with bright gilt on the front cover; internally, the endpapers are browned, there is waterstaining to the margins of the first few pages, there is foxing throughout, there is a handwritten margin comment as noted above. and the leaf consisting of pages 47/48 has a large hole in its center and related scraping affecting text; despite its flaws, a complete copy of this rare 1843 second American Edition.

AN ESSAY ON THE MODE AND DESIGN OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM : In Which The Scriptures Are Carefully Examined, And Made The Only Book Of Appeal For Positive Proof, by Leonard Parker, Minister of the M. E. Church (Methodist Episcopal Church).

NEW PHILADELPHIA: Printed at the Lutheran Standard Office, 1844. First Edition.

Hardcovers, cloth covered boards, gilt title on spine (mostly rubbed off with age), small format, 4x6 inches, 304 pages.

FAIR condition: the covers are worn, the cloth covering has a couple small holes, and the spine gilt has faded away, but they are still doing their job well; internally, the rear endpapers are full of early handwritten notes and some accounting; both the front and rear endpapers have browned and the front free endpaper has a nickel size stain that has bled through to the first few pages; there is foxing throughout; nevertheless a solid, complete copy with printing that is bright and clear throughout.

SCARCE 1844 FIRST EDITION on BAPTISM published in AMERICA.

SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHER'S MANUAL; or, THE IMPORTANT OFFICE, and NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS and STUDIES of the TEACHER. By Rev. Bradford K. Peirce. Published by Waite, Peirce & Co. and Reid & Rand, BOSTON, 1845. First Edition, with the date 1845 on both the title and copyright page. Rare MANUAL for SUNDAY SCHOOL / SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHERS. Details what teachers need to know, what they should have read and studied, the importance of being holy in order to inspire holiness in what would otherwise be the lost souls of children, best techniques to avoid bored kids, etc. Small Format Hardcover Book, brown cloth covered boards, blind embossed framing on front and rear covers, gilt design on front cover, gilt titling and design on spine, 16mo., 3x4.5 inches, viii, 128 pages. GOOD condition, covers are rubbed, have wear to spine ends, and the spine gilt is faded; internally, there is a previous owner's signature dated 1846 on the front free endpaper, there is foxing, primarily to the first and last few pages, a dime size spot on the front pastedown, some spotting and occasional creases here and there, overall the inner pages are still tight, bright, clean and clear. SCARCE little NEW ENGLAND SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHING MANUAL from 1845. I wonder if the 1846 owner was such a teacher?

THÉORIE POSITIVE de L'OVULATION SPONTANÉE de la FÉCONDATION des MAMMIFÈRES et de L'ESPÈCE HUMAINE, Basée sur L'Observation de Toute la Série Animale. Par F. A. POUCHET

(Félix Archimède Pouchet). (English Translation: PROVEN THEORY of SPONTANEOUS OVULATION and FERTILIZATION of MAMMALS and the HUMAN SPECIES, Based on the Observation of the entire Animal Series. By F. A. POUCHET.) Published by Chez J.-B. Bailliere, Libraire de L'Académie Royale de Medecine, PARIS, 1847. First Edition. TEXT IN FRENCH. Two Volumes: The TEXT VOLUME plus the Especially Rare ATLAS VOLUME that contains 20 HAND COLORED PLATES. TEXT VOLUME: Original printed wrappers, 5.5x9 inches (14x22.5 cm), 8vo. Pagination: xxxi, [1], 476, [1] fold open table, [3], 28 irregularly numbered Publisher's advertisement pages. ATLAS VOLUME: Hardcovers, original printed paper covered boards and cloth covered spine, large format 9x12 inches (23x30cm). Contains TWENTY HAND COLORED PLATES, one folding, all with tissue guards. CONDITION: Text Volume GOOD Condition: Some wear and soiling to wrappers including several inches of splitting at the spine folds, wear to the spine ends, and edge wear including some small chips. Internally, the front and rear endpapers are mostly glued to the inside front and rear covers; there is some scattered foxing though most pages are bright and white; many pages are still uncut / unopened. Overall a solid, complete copy with original wrappers. Atlas Volume VERY GOOD Condition: The covers spine has been neatly rebacked with cloth; the covers have some soiling, light staining, and edge wear, but remain solid and are doing their job well; there are two rubber ink stamps on the title page "Property of the N. York Hospital" and "Triplicate"; there are creases and a few tears to some of the tissue guards; otherwise tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked. The plates are all lovely. (Note: The New York Hospital, whose rubber ink stamp is on the title page of the Atlas volume, was founded in 1771 with a charter from King George III. It is the second oldest hospital in New York City, and the third oldest in the United States.) This Two Volume 1847 First Edition Set with the ORIGINAL ATLAS with its 20 HAND COLORED PLATES is SCARCE. About FÉLIX-ARCHIMÈDE POUCHET (from Wikipedia): ******Félix Archimède Pouchet (b. 1800 d. 1872) was a French naturalist and a LEADING PROPONENT of the SPONTANEOUS GENERATION of LIFE from

NON LIVING MATERIALS, and as such an opponent of Louis Pasteur's germ theory. From 1828 he was director of the Rouen Jardin des Plantes. In 1838 he became professor at the School of Medicine at Rouen. In 1847, Pouchet effectively launched the study of the physiology of cytology. His major scientific work Hétérogénie was published in 1859. He also wrote a layperson's encyclopedia The Universe, published in 1870, which gives an overview of the sciences, but in which Pouchet ridicules Louis Pasteur's theories. Pouchet was 60 years old while Louis Pasteur was 37 years old when the heart of the debate about spontaneous generation began. Their opinions on generation originated from two competing theories. Pouchet believed in HETEROGENESIS, which assumed that NEW LIVING ORGANISMS CAME FROM INANIMATE OBJECTS, SUCH AS AIR. The parents of these new organisms were not the same species as the new organism. Pasteur supported the germ theory that said microorganisms arose from germs and those microorganisms came from parents of the same species. He supported the idea that germs were mostly everywhere, including things like air and those germs explained the appearance of microorganisms on different inanimate things.****** You can read much more about Félix-Archimède Pouchet on Wikipedia and elsewhere on the Internet. I believe this is the perfect time to bring the SPONTANEOUS GENERATION OF LIFE theory back to life, given our ruling government no longer believes in real science.

THE SAINT'S TRAGEDY; or, The True Story of ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY, Landgravine of Thuringia, Saint of the Romish Calendar, by CHARLES KINGSLEY. Published by John W. Parker, London, 1848. FIRST EDITION. Small Format Hardcover Book, cloth covered boards, spine paper title label, 4.5x7". Pagination: [4], xxiii (i-xxiii), [4], 271 (pages numbered 28 to 271, consecutive numbering beginning with page "i"), [1], + 4 numbered pages of Publisher's ads. Preface by the Reverend F. D. Maurice and an Introduction by the Author. This is CHARLES KINGSLEY'S FIRST PUBLISHED BOOK, a drama, written while he was Rector of Eversley. THE YEAST, Kingsley's first novel, was being published in installments in Fraser's Magazine at the same time, but it was controversial and the novel serialization was never finished - it was completed and first published in book form in 1850. Condition: The Original Covers are rubbed and shelf worn, there is a light cup ring on the rear cover, the spine covering is split at the rear fold, but holding well, the paper spine label is chipped and worn, affecting the label title text (part of the title, "KINGSLEY",

and the "5s." price are still clear). Internally, there is a previous owner's signature at the top of the front pastedown,

"St. John's Book Club" is written at the top of the front free-endpaper, there is some light corner creasing, overall the inner pages remain tight, bright, clean and unmarked. A complete, solid, nice 1848 First Edition copy, in original covers, of THE FIRST PUBLISHED BOOK by CHARLES KINGSLEY.

Antique German booklet, a Rare "Dienstbuch" (literally translated as "Service Book") from the year 1848 (with later notations from 1850), stipulating the status of the individual bearing this document as "servant class", and stating conditions of their legal employment. Official Document / Booklet, string bound with a portion of the string sealed with wax on the back page, 4.75x7.5", 32 pages. This particular booklet has been given the number 1019 and is made out to a young woman, aged 18. I cannot decipher, from the handwriting, the name and particulars of the girl whose book this was. The servant was required by law to carry this Official Statement of Employment, and had to be shown when proof of employment was required by Police or other authorities. This small publication consists of 32 pages (no covers as issued). Only 9 of the pages have writing or printing, the rest are numbered but blank (kind of like a mostly unused passport). The first page has handwriting and printing, providing points of identification of this Dienstbuch holder. The next 7 pages (2-8) contain printed matter only, including warnings, rules, and governing servitude ordinances. Page 9 is filled in with handwriting, including a couple "1850" dates. I don't know what the writing says, but I have tried to provide a clear image for those of you who might be able to read the it. The bottom of page 9 has an ink stamp that bears bears the name of the town of Gerstungen in Thuringia. The back page (page 32) has an Official Wax Seal. The wax seal is stamped over the binding threads, making it very difficult for pages to be removed so that false ones could be entered. Condition: Toned, foxed, some soiling, but still solid, clear, and fully legible. A wonderful historic document relating to Young Servant Girls in 19th Century Germany.

1849 KENTUCKY CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION SIGNATURE BOOK with SIGNATURES of 95 COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES, plus Sergeant at Arms, Reporters, etc. The Constitutional Convention signatory Sign In notebook was owned by THOMAS N. LINDSEY, member of the notable LINDSEY FAMILY of FRANKFORT KENTUCKY. Thomas N. Lindsey was the Representative of Franklin County, Kentucky. His signature is on the backside of the first page. The Signature Book is 3x5 inches and filled with blank paper. Lacking the front cover, however the spine covering and rear cover are present, as are all the inner pages. It appears likely that Thomas N. Lindsey was responsible for getting the signatures of the attending Representatives and others at the Kentucky Constitutional Convention of 1849 (that led to the adoption of the Constitution of 1850). He signed his name clearly on the verso of the first page, and I believe also on the back cover though that signature is very difficult to see. Though the notebook pages were blank, Lindsey wrote 3 numbers on a page up to number 100, leaving space by each number where Representatives signed in and identified themselves by county. 94 Representatives signed in and most wrote the county they represented below their signature, some also wrote the city they were from. The spaces beside numbers 95-100 are blank. However, Thomas N. Lindsey, the representative from Franklin County, signed at the front as noted above, meaning that this notebook contains a total of 95 signatures of the Constitutional Convention Representatives. Many of the signatures are accompanied with handwritten salutations: "Your friend" "Yours respectfully" etc. In addition to the 95 Representatives, there are signatures of the Sergeant at Arms, Clerk, Door Keeper, Deputy, 5 Reporters, and the Minister of the Gospel. I have been able to fully identify all but 5 of the 95 Representatives through a combination of their signatures and the counties they identified themselves with. There is not, unfortunately, enough room here to list them all, but I have all the identified Representatives names along with counties represented, so if you are interested just email me. In addition to the signatures of 95 Representatives, this Sign-in / Signatory Book contains the signature of the Clerk (Secretary of the Convention), Sergeant at Arms, Door Keeper, five reporters, and that of the Minister of the Gospel. The second to last page, following a number of blank pages, has the names and addresses of several Lindsey family members, perhaps put there by Thomas N. Lindsey so that this book could be passed down from one family member to another as an important historic keepsake? GOOD CONDITION. Front cover missing, as noted above, some creasing and edge chipping to the first page, the rear inner hinge is split but holding well, otherwise the pages are solid, well bound, and all the signatures and writing is bright and clear. The 1850 Kentucky Constitution was extremely PRO SLAVERY. You can read about the 1850 Kentucky Constitution and the 1849 Kentucky Constitutional Convention on many sites on the Internet.

DICCIONARIO GEOGRAPHICO DAS PROVINCIAS E POSSESSÕES PORTUGUEZAS NO ULTRAMAR.

Em que se descrevem as ilhas, e pontos continentaes que actualmente possue a corôa portugueza, e se dão muitas outras noticias dos habitantes, sua historia, costumes, religiões e commercio. Precedido de uma introducção geographico, politico, estatistico, historica de Portugal. Por Joze Maria de Souza Monteiro, Cavalleiro da Ordem de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, e Secretario Geral Honorario da Provincia de Cabo-Verde, etc. etc.

TEXT ENTIRELY IN PORTUGUESE.

(GEOGRAPHIC DICTIONARY OF PORTUGUESE OVERSEAS PROVINCES AND POSSESSIONS.

In which the islands and continental places that the Portuguese Crown currently possesses are described, including information about the inhabitants, their history, customs, religions and commerce. Preceded by a geographical, political, statistical and historical introduction of Portugal. By Jose Maria de Souza Monteiro, Knight of the Order of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, and Honorary General Secretary of the Province of Cabo-Verde, etc. etc.)

Published by Typographia Lisbonense, Lisboa (Lisbon,Portugal), 1850.

Hardcovers, leather covered spine and marbled paper covered boards, spine titled and decorated in gilt, 5.5x8 inches 14x20 cm), 539 + [4] pages. Small Errata at the end of the final page of text.

GOOD condition: The covers are worn through at the corners and edges, worn at the spine ends, and have some scrapes, but remain sturdy and attractive. Internally, the pages are lightly used, still tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked. A solid, nice copy.

REPORT of the ACTING SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR Relative to the SWAMP AND OVERFLOWED LANDS IN LOUISIANA.

Publisher: [Government Printing Office, Washington D.C., 1850].

Disbound report, 8 pages plus folding map. The text pages are 5.5x9 inches. The lithograph map opens to 18x17 inches (46x43 cm). The map is dated Oct. 18th, 1949. It shows the State of Louisiana in sections, labeled based on township claims, proposed survey, etc.

Condition: The pages are disbound, complete but loose (i.e. laid on top of one another), though the leaf consisting of pages 7/8 is still attached to the fold-open map; the pages are foxed and have some edge creases and small edge chips; the printing remains clear and bright throughout. The MAP is nice, just a bit of foxing, a couple small edge chips, and some creasing at the left margin. It is suitable for framing, imho.

Unique manuscript collection of speeches by Dr. Oliver Troxell Everhart, a Civil War surgeon and prominent physician. He was very active in his community and belonged to various fraternal and medical organizations. He was often a featured speaker at events, commencements, medical meetings, etc. Includes table of contents and 80 handwritten speeches. The contents span from 1851, his freshman year at Marshall College to 1920, at age 89. Occasionally augmented with mounted newspaper articles. Includes his bookplate on the front pastedown.

The speeches are handwritten on mostly lined paper, 6x9 inches (15x23.5 cm). The pages are hand-numbered. Pagination: [4], 426, [30] pages. Most of the speeches are non-medical in nature. Titles of all the speeches can be seen in the photos of the contents pages.

CONDITION: The leather covered boards and spine are falling apart, spine mostly gone, boards worn and soiled, spine folds with old tape marks, etc. Internally, there is some foxing and finger soiling throughout, some speeches rather tightly bound in at the left margin, there is some edge wear and small tears here and there, page 146 has some pieces torn off that are laid in, the inner binding has seriously cracked at a number of places. Nonetheless the pages are complete, remain bound together with the string binding, and, most important, the writing is clear and fully legible throughout.

ACCOMPANIED with an ORIGINAL 1883 FIRST EDITION GENEALOGY BOOK written by O(LIVER) T(ROXELL) EVERHART, M.D.

The book is titled: "A HISTORY OF THE EVERHART and SHOWER FAMILIES from 1744 to 1883, Embracing SIX GENERATIONS. Also A SKETCH of MANCHESTER, MD." It is EX-LIBRARY, bound in library hardcovers with the usual stamps, labels, pockets, and shelving numbers. There is a "withdrawn" stamp on several of the labels. Ex-lib aside the book is in GOOD condition, signs of general handling and wear, but still tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked. The book was written and self-published by O.T. Everhart, M.D., primarily for family and friends. As such, the first edition is quite rare.

TWO ITEMS by O.T. EVERHART, M.D. - A One-Of-A-Kind Collection of Handwritten Speeches, and a Rare First Edition of the Everhart & Shower Families.

About OLIVER TROXELL EVERHART (from the Franklin & Marshall College Library website, and elsewhere on the Internet):

******Oliver Troxell Everhart (1832-1921) was a Union Army physician, captured briefly after a raid on Chambersburg before being released. While tending to the wounded he contracted chronic diarrhea, which after moving camps would eventually worsen into an inflammation of the spine which left him paraplegic and resulted in an honorable discharge. Despite his injuries, he continued to practice medicine in York and Perry counties in Pennsylvania before settling in Hanover in 1878. He was a prominent physician, eventually joined in practice by his son Dr. George S. Everhart. He practiced medicine until his death in 1921.******

FEW THOUGHTS on the POWERS & DUTIES OF WOMEN. TWO LECTURES. By HORACE MANN. Published by Hall, Mills, and Company, Syracuse, 1853. First Edition.

In these lectures Horace Mann argues that women's roles should be expanded, and that women should be permitted to work in a limited number of professions, most importantly as teachers of young children in public schools. Not a grandiose idea, but progressive at the time.

PRESENTATION COPY - SIGNED and INSCRIBED by HORACE MANN to WILLIAM G. BATES on a LAID-IN NOTE: "Wm. G. Bates, Esq. / with best regards / from / Horace Mann".

ASSOCIATION COPY. In 1837 Horace Mann became the first Secretary to the Massachusetts Board of Education. In 1839 William G. Bates joined Horace Mann as a member of the Massachusetts Board of Education. They worked together in this capacity for many years. During this time, primarily due to the efforts of Horace Mann, but with the assistance of William Bates, women were encouraged to study to become teachers in the State's Normal (i.e. Public) Schools, and many did. It makes sense that this book, on the importance of women becoming teachers, was sent by Horace Mann to his colleague William Bates.

Hardcover Book, red cloth covered boards, blind stamped designs on the front and rear covers, gilt titles and floral design on the spine, 4.5x6 inches, 141 pages.

GOOD condition: the covers have a bit of fraying at the spine ends, are worn through at the corner tips, and show some light soiling, but remain solid and attractive; internally, there is an early previous owner's name on the front pastedown: "Minerva Adams (Sabin?)", scattered foxing throughout, otherwise tight, bright, clean and clear.

RARE FIRST EDITION BOOK, RARE SIGNATURE, RARE ASSOCIATION.

About HORACE MANN (from Wikipedia):

******Horace Mann, b.1796 d.1859, was an American educational reformer, slavery abolitionist and Whig politician known for his commitment to promoting public education, he is thus also known as the FATHER OF AMERICAN EDUCATION. In 1848, after public service as Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, Mann was elected to the United States House of Representatives (1848-1853). From September 1852 to his death, he served as President of Antioch College.******

About WILLIAM G. BATES (from Wikipedia):

******William Gelston Bates, b.1803 d.1880, was an American politician. He graduated from Yale College in 1825, was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1828, and practiced law in Westfield, Massachusetts. From 1839 to 1847 he was a member of the Massachusetts State Board of Education. In 1840 he was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate, and in 1844 and 1845 was a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council. In 1868 he was also a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.******

HORACE MANN on WOMEN as TEACHERS (from the Bridgewater State University website):

******In 1837, Horace Mann accepted the position as the first secretary to the Board of Education in Massachusetts; his mission was to improve the public school system in the state. One of his most revolutionary changes to the system included establishing normal schools for the express purpose of training a core of well trained female teachers who could then, he believed, transform the public schools. Mann believed women were naturally suited to instruct young common school children. Teaching and education had traditionally been considered men's responsibilities, however Mann circumvented this tradition by showing that women as teachers of school children was not much different than their role as mothers of young children. Thus, Mann's plan for improved common schools allowed women to work outside the home without challenging their traditional roles.******

MEDIZINISCHE GEOGRAPHIE, by Caspar Friedrich Fuchs.

BERLIN: Verlag von Alexander Duncker, 1853. First edition. Text in German.

Hardcovers (covers detached but present), cloth covered boards with leather spine and corners, 6x9 inches (23x15 cm). Pagination: xii, 158, [2] pages, plus 11 PLATES at the rear.

Illustrated with eleven plates, six of which show the spread of diseases around the world.

COPY of Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, with his ARMORIAL BOOKPLATE on the front pastedown. Crewe-Milnes (1858-1945), 1st Marquess of Crewe, known as The Lord Houghton from 1885 to 1895 and as The Earl of Crewe from 1895 to 1911, Secretary of State for India 1910-1915, Ambassador to Paris 1922-1928, and Secretary of State for War 1931. (You can read more about Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes on his Wikipedia page.)

Condition: Covers are detached but present, the front and rear covers are scuffed at the leather on the corners and rear margin, the spine leather covering is mostly intact but is chipped, scratched, and worn. Internally there is some foxing here and there, especially on the first few pages, otherwise the inner pages are tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked.

LE CANADA. ESSAI - Auquel le Premier Prix a été Adjugé par le Comité Canadien de l'Exposition de Paris, par J. Sheridan Hogan. (CANADA. AN ESSAY - One that was Awarded the First Place Prize by the Canadian Committee for the Paris Exposition, by J. Sheridan Hogan.) Published by John Lovell, MONTREAL, Canada, 1855. First Edition. Wrappers / Printed Paper Covers, 5.5" x 8", 106 pages. Essay consisting of a detailed description of Canada, including statistical tables, selected from other entries submitted to the Bureau de l'Exposition de Paris. FAIR condition, covers are mostly chipped away at the spine, are toned, water-stained, edge-chipped and worn (please see photos); internally the first and last few pages have toning, some creasing, and a bit of spotting, otherwise the inner pages are just lightly used and remain tight, bright, clean and unmarked.

A complete, presentable copy, in its original wrappers.

SYSTEM der MATHEMATISCHEN und THEOLOGISCHEN CHRONOLOGIE oder ZEITKUNDE von. 1741 bis. 1900, von S. M. LANDSBERG, in Hamburg. (Salomon Marcus Landsberg) Published by GEBRUDER BONN, Altona, Germany, 1856. Leather covers, 8.5x10". Pagination: [2], 100, [4]. POOR condition. Covers are disbound and very worn, there are lots of penciled numbers on the pastedowns. Inner pages are disbound, title page has a closed horizontal tear halfway across its face; all the pages have edge wear, including chipping and tearing; some pages have several inch tears; all page corners are creased and worn, the pages are toned, there is foxing and toning; nonetheless the pages are complete, the text is only infrequently affected by a closed tear, edge chip, or corner crease, and the text is always bright and legible. A complete copy of this important work, in poor condition. Deserves a loving rebinding.

THE ORDEAL OF RICHARD FEVEREL - A History of Father and Son, by GEORGE MEREDITH. THREE VOLUME SET - Complete in these Three Volumes. LONDON: CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, Piccadilly, 1859. FIRST EDITION. This was George Meredith's first full-length novel (preceded only by a volume of verse and two single-volume burlesques). When it first came out, in 1859, it was a critical and financial failure, considered both "unreadable" and of "low ethical standards". It was not, therefore, reprinted until 1878. Then, all of a sudden, the critics began raving about the book to such an extent that it became required reading at many English schools. That is why the 1859 first edition of what became the author's best known work is scarce. Half-leather (leather spine and corners) and pebbled cloth covered boards, five raised spine bands, embossed gilt titling to spine, marbled page edges, marbled endpapers, 4.5x7.5". Pagination: iv, 303; iv, 348; iv, 395. Bookplate of STEPHEN EATON ELAND on the front pastedown of each volume. Condition: Covers are rubbed and scraped at the spine ends, corner tips and edges of the leather, and are sunned at the margins, but remain sturdy and handsome; the top page edges have darkened; Volume I is lacking a blank prelim page (blank prelim page before the title page), otherwise all volumes are complete; there is substantial foxing to the first and last few pages of each volume, otherwise there is only a bit of foxing here and there; other than the foxing on the first and last few pages, the inner pages are complete, tight, bright, clean and unmarked. This 1859 First Edition Three Volume Set of George Meredith's First full-length Novel is VERY SCARCE.

Important, Rare, Handwritten Letter by JOHN HORTON SLAUGHTER (aka TEXAS JOHN SLAUGHTER, SHERIFF SLAUGHTER, JOHN H. SLAUGHTER), written in 1859 when he was only 18 years old. Single Page Handwritten Letter, single sheet, light blue laid paper with a nickel size blind embossed emblem at the upper right corner, approximately 7.75 x 12 inches. GOOD condition, several folds where the letter was probably folded to fit into a small envelope (NO envelope is present), very small holes where a couple folds intersect, a few ink stains on the blank back side, otherwise solid with writing that is fully legible. Folded is how the letter was preserved and is its normal state. The letter was written to John H. Slaughter's 22 year old friend and trusted horse selling partner JOHN B. LINDSEY, of Frankfort, Kentucky. (The Lindsey / Lindsay family is an old and prominent Kentucky family, as are its relations.) The contents of the letter seem to indicate a familial relationship of some sort between the Slaughter and Lindsey family lines. This pre Civil War letter written at the age of 18 is by far the earliest letter of JOHN HORTON SLAUGHTER that I have seen. It gives a glimpse of his life and ambitions that have rarely, if ever, been recorded. The letter reads in great part: "(??) August 24, 1859. / Dear John / Yours of the 8th has been received and the draft for $500 which was very acceptable. You say you have not heard from me in a long time. I answered your other letter acknowledging the receipt of the other draft & your Aunt also wrote in it making a long letter. I hope you have received it before this in that I left all the matter of collections to your own judgement as I do in this need the money, but I can get along (as I?) have raised a small crop of cotton & I have some cattle & young horses to sell if I could meet with a purchaser. You say your state has gone for the Democrats. You had better quit it and come to Texas, it has gone the opposition ticket. Houston is elected by a large majority. Your relations are all well as usual except (?) who has been quite sick but she is now on the mend... the rest of our family is as well as usual... We don't know (what) you do to stand it in Ky. You must suffer very much. Remember me to all./

Yours Truly, John H. Slaughter." This letter was acquired in Northern California from the estate of a member of (per the estate listing): "a very prominent Southern family, offering... pre-and post-Civil War ephemera (letters and documents)..." Most of the interesting old documents I found related to the LINDSEY FAMILY of FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY, including many documents and letters of JOHN B. LINDSEY (born July 4, 1837, Frankfort, KY, died 1922, Frankfort, KY), among which was this letter. I also acquired an unpublished autobiography by Edwin S. Lindsey, the Grandson of John B. Lindsey. There is a paragraph on page 3 where he writes: "When he was a young man, Grandfather Lindsey had tuberculosis, the dreaded Great White Plague of that age. He went to Texas for better climate and was a horse trader, buying horses in Mexico and selling them in the U.S. West. Those were the wild days of the West, and many were his adventures, which will have to be omitted now. He recovered his health and returned to Frankfort, where he practiced law very successfully till he retired at the age of eighty four". This paragraph matches perfectly with the Slaughterhouse letter urging the young John Lindsey to leave Kentucky and join him in Texas. About JOHN HORTON SLAUGHTER (excerpted from Wikipedia): "John Horton Slaughter, b. 1841 d. 1922, also known as Texas John Slaughter, was an American lawman, cowboy, poker player and rancher in the Southwestern United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After serving in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, Slaughter earned a reputation fighting hostile Indians and Mexican and American outlaws in the Arizona and New Mexico territories."

THREE BOUND VOLUMES of ABSTRACT OF TITLE to large sections of LAND in RANCHO MONTE DEL DIABLO / SANTA CLARA COUNTY, known as THE PACHECO GRANT.

(1) ABSTRACT of TITLE to LANDS of MANUEL WILLIAMS - Described as PORTION OF RANCHO MONTE DEL DIABLO / County of Contra Costa, California. Made by Contra Costa Abstract and Title Company, Martinez, California. Hardbound, leather spine and corners, string bound, 9x14 inches.

The first 50 pages are MANUSCRIPT, with handwriting only on the front side of each page. The subsequent pages, 51 to 90, are typed and mimeographed abstracts, deeds, and official Contra Costa certifications.

The manuscript abstract includes wills, grant rights, etc. The first page of this manuscript abstract of title begins: "Abstract of Title of Heirs of John Johnston, Deceased, to 210 Acres in the Racho Monte Del Diablo of PACHECO GRANT, Contra Costa County, California. By C. S. Cousins / Searcher of Records for Contra Costa County."

There are many names of claimants, defendants, and County officers in this manuscript abstract of title, including; Salvio Pacheco, Salvador Pacheco, Manuel Williams, John Galindo, Mariana Amador de Galindo, Conception Pacheco de Soto, Ygnacio Amador, Samuel Dwinelle (District Judge), and many others. This manuscript abstract covers a period 1859-1896, with the last manuscript page (page 50) being a certification signed by J.S. Cousins, and dated May 24th, 1896.

Bound in following the manuscript abstract of title are printed documents dated 1904 to 1916, including: "Continuation of Abstract of Title to the lands of HELEN GREENLEAF, described as Portion of the Rancho Monte del Diablo", "Continuation of Abstract of Title to the lands of MANUEL WILLIAMS", and various Deeds, Wills, and Agreements.

A fold-open blueprint map is tipped onto the inside rear cover, titled: "Map of a portion of Division N of the Fernando Pacheco Estate..."

Laid into the rear of this abstract is a folded "Agreement / Johnson Blois with Manuel Williams" dated October 1916.

(2) ABSTRACT OF TITLE to the lands of MARIETTA J. BACON, being a portion of the RANCHO MONTE DEL DIABLO, containing 79.53 acres of land situated in CONTRA COSTA COUNTY. Filled with printed documents relating to distribution of property, including attestations of ownership, complaints, settlements, court documents, agreements, etc. Documents dated 1858 to 1906. Tipped on the inside rear cover is a handwritten statement on "The Bank of Concord" letterhead, dated Oct. 24, 1901: "I have examined the title to the lands described in the abstract herein and find...there is no lien or encumbrance excluding taxes for 1901". Bound in hardcovers, string bound at the top, 8.5x13 inches, 66 pages.

(3) ABSTRACT OF TITLE to LOTS 3 and 8 / GOVERNMENT or GWIN RANCH / RANCHO MONTE DEL DIABLO - As Shown by the Various Records of the County of Contra Costa. Compiled by the Martinez Abstract & Title Company, Searchers of Records, Martinez, Contra Costa County. Dated August 3, 1917.

A compilation of Abstract of Title and supporting documents, compiled "At the Request of Mr. MANUEL WILLIAMS". Documents are all reprints of documents from 1859 to 1917, all reprinted by the Martinez Abstract and Title Company. Bound in hardcovers, string bound at the top, 8.5x13 inches, 77 pages printed on one side only.

A signed Certification by the Martinez Abstract and Title Company dated 1917 is at the end: "This is to certify that the foregoing 77 pages...are a full, true and correct Unlimited Abstract of Title, showing all instruments and documents of record...affecting the title hereinafter described property, to the date hereof."

CONDITION: All three volumes are in GOOD condition, the covers are worn at the edges and corners (especially the first volume) but are solid and doing their job well; internally, there is a smudge here and there, but overall the pages are very nice, bright, clean and clear. A solid, nice, fully legible set.

1860 HAND PAINTED ILLUMINATED FRONTISPIECE LEAF from a FAMILY BIBLE. This frontispiece leaf was hand painted and illuminated on a blank prelim page of an 1802 BIBLE owned by the HARDY FAMILY of Hampstead, England.

The leaf measures 5.5x 9". It has been disbound but is still sewn at spine together with the 1802 Bible's title page and a few pages of the Bible's Preface. The names, dates, and information on this gorgeous one-of-a-kind leaf are (some words painted legibly large, some almost hidden in the lovely painted ribbons and decorations): JOSEPH HARDY / Born May 16, 1788; MARY CLARKE SOUTHARD / Born May 29, 1790; JOHN FORBES HARDY / Born at Hampstead Oct 24th 1816. / Married June 12 1847 / ROSE (PARSLOP?) (At the bottom right in tiny letters hidden in a colored band) MARIANNE (HAYWARD?) / FECIT (i.e. painted / made by Marianne Hayward) (At the bottom left in tiny letters) 1860. Condition: There is some foxing and toning, but overall the illuminated leaf is gorgeous, and the gold stands out tangibly. The backside of the leaf and the facing title page of the bible are stained and darkened from where the paint bled through. JOHN FORBES HARDY is a relatively obscure ARTIST from HAMPSTEAD, ENGLAND, who was active as a painter from 1847 to 1874. One of his better known works is believed to be of a view of "Hampstead Heath". I do not know, and cannot seem to find out, who the illuminator / painter, Marianne Hayward, is - but someone must know because the work is so lovely. RARE and UNIQUE - an Illuminated Leaf related to HARDY, SOUTHARD and FORBES Families.

THE ILLUSTRATED SELF-INSTRUCTOR IN PHRENOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, by O.S. FOWLER. "With Over One Hundred Engravings".

NEW YORK: Fowler and Wells, Publishers, [1860].

SIGNED and DATED 1860 by O.S. FOWLER who also handwrote the name of the individual for whom he "marked a chart" in this book (though I see no indication other than the number "21 1/2" handwritten on page [iii].

Hardcovers, 5x7.5 inches, 176 pages plus 4 pages of Publisher's ads at the rear.

GOOD condition, the covers have some wear to the corner tips and spine ends but are holding together well; internally, there is offsetting to the endpapers, foxing mainly to the margins here and there throughout, otherwise tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked. A solid, presentable copy.

About O.S. FOWLER (from Wikipedia):

******Orson Squire Fowler, b.1809 d.1887, was an American phrenologist and lecturer. He also popularized the octagon house in the middle of the nineteenth century.

With his brother Lorenzo Niles Fowler, he opened a phrenological office in New York City and soon they became the foremost proponents of phrenology in the United States. Orson wrote and lectured on phrenology, preservation of health, popular education and social reform.

O.S. Fowler held forth for the equality for women at a time when women had virtually no legal rights, championed children's rights at a time when child labor was widespread, and through his publications called for the end of slavery which he called a "monstrous evil".

HOWEVER, MANY OF HIS PHRENOLOGICAL BELIEFS WERE ABHORRENT and were used to justify slavery and advance a belief in African-American inferiority. Based on his phrenological views, Fowler wrote that coarse hair correlated with coarse fibers in the brain, and indicated coarse feelings that, he wrote, suggested people of African descent had poor verbal skills and traits that were best suited for nursing children or waiting on tables. Fowler was also known to be antisemitic.

Fowler was a teetotaler and vegetarian. He promoted a vegetarian diet in his book Physiology: Animal and Mental and was vice-president of the American Vegetarian Society in 1852. He defended animal rights and opposed the slaughter of animals. His magazine The American Phrenological Journal also supported vegetarianism.******