ITALIAN MANUSCRIPT Accounts Book kept by LUCIDO SPARAPANI. Handwritten Italian text. Dates appear to be from 1669 to the 1680s. Possibly Trento, Italy.

Contains 156 leaves completely filled with handwritten text. The leaves are hand numbered in two sections 1-71 and 1-85, with some blank leaves between the sections. Contemporary plain pasteboard covers, three cord binding, 5x7.5 inches (13x19 cm).

The names I was able to identify include: Giuseppe Brunelli, Felice Vergelli, Andrea Pittore, Francesco Benigni, Giovanni Cortini; but there are more.

Condition: Surprisingly GOOD condition, the pages are firm and well bound. The handwriting is sharp and clear but the small calligraphy and the iron in the ink makes it rather difficult to read (especially if, like me, you don't read Italian). The covers have wear and a piece missing at the bottom of the pine. A wonderful, very presentable copy.

My research shows that the SPARAPANI family was a renowned family of nobility from the Trento province of Italy. The family held a number of noble titles. The family was apparently affluent, socially connected, and produced many notaries.

I found that LUCIDO SPARAPANI wrote a book about Saint Vittorino in 1701 titled:

"Notizia compendiosa della vita di S. Vittorino confessore, descritta dal conte Lucido Sparapani da Camerino nell'anno 1701. A cui furono aggiunti il panegirico composto per il sudetto santo, la narrazione della traslazione del suo corpo, e molti componimenti poetici..."

(Compendium of the life of St. Vittorino confessor, described by Count Lucido Sparapani from Camerino in the year 1701. To which were added the panegyric composed for the aforementioned saint, the narration of the translation of his body, and many poems.)

Because of the difficulty I have with Italian and the handwriting, there are likely errors in my description. Please correct me when you find them.

LES DERNIERS EFFORTS DE L'INNOCENCE AFFLIGÉE - Volume I and II (bound together in this single book), par (PIERRE JURIEU). A LA HAYE : CHEZ ABRAHAM ARONDEUS, Marchand Libraire au Palais, a l'Enseigne du Roy de France, M. DC. LXXXII (1682). This book almost immediately became an important and controversial work that was quickly reprinted, most notably by Chez David Dufour, Ville Franche, who republished the book in several editions also in the year 1682. VELLUM BOUND, small format 3" x 5.25", two parts in this one book (complete), pagination: [4], 182; [2],160 pages. I collated both Volume I and Volume II page-by-page with the copy of each volume held in the Rare Book

Holdings of the Bavarian State Library, Germany. Those rare copies were digitized in 2010. Condition: The vellum covers are yellowed with age, stained, worn through along some of the edges, are peeling at the folds and edges, and have a 1/2 piece missing at the bottom of the spine; the inner rear hinge has completely split, exposing the inner binding and meaning that the vellum covers are almost disbound (a strong tug would remove them from the inner bound text. There is interesting very early writing, in French, on the front pastedown, the rear free endpaper, and on a laid-in slip of paper; there is also a signature on the very last page of text of Volume II. There is a handwritten date of 1712 on the front pastedown, but I don't know if all the writing is from that time or not. The front and rear pastedowns are soiled, creased, and have large tears. The first page of Volume I is soiled, has a dime-size edge chip (not affecting text), a couple hand-written letters "m" and "o.u." and a signature. Overall the inner pages are very nice - light foxing, mostly on the first and last few pages, some soiling, overall still tight, bright, clean and unmarked. Complete TRUE FIRST EDITION / FIRST PRINTING (Published by Chez Abraham Arondeus, La Haye) of this IMPORTANT WORK by PIERRE JURIEU. This true first printing is SCARCE, with copies only to be found in a few rare book rooms of Major Universities and National Collections (see WorldCat).

ORANDAE-IMARI WARE, by KEIICHI NONOGAMI. Published by GOHACHIPURESU, Tokyo, Japan, Showa 48 [1973]. LIMITED EDITION of ONLY 500 COPIES. This is copy number 248. JAPANESE TEXT, but there is an Introduction in English. Hardcover Book in clear plastic dustjacket, in Slipcase with printed titles in Japanese and English, all in the original cardboard shipping box, 8.5x12 inches. Unpaginated, but contains 105 PLATES on 77 pages, including 13 TIPPED ON COLOR PLATES. The plates are printed on one side only i.e. blank backsides, and the tipped on color plates are each on their own leaf. There are also 33 pages of Japanese text, a 5 page English introduction, and a few title and prelim pages, All the text pages are printed on both sides of the leaves. Condition: NEAR FINE BOOK in a NEAR FINE SLIPCASE. The cardboard shipping box looks like it was trimmed at both its ends, turning it more into a secondary protective slipcase than a box. The shipping box shows some marks, creases and signs of handling. A solid, lovely copy. SCARCE and Important Reference to Japanese Imari Ware. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: This book is large and heavy and will require additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Or you can contact us ahead of time to find out the shipping charge to your country. Thanks.

VOYAGE TO THE WORLD OF KOREAN EMBROIDERY. By Ho Tong-hwa (Huh Dong-hwa), Director of the Museum of Korean Embroidery; with essays by a number of experts on Korean Embroidery. Lavishly Produced, Gorgeously Illustrated, Large Format Book in Folding Case. Published by the MUSEUM OF KOREAN EMBROIDERY, Seoul, Korea, 2001. First (and only) edition. Text in Korean and English. SIGNED and INSCRIBED in KOREAN by the AUTHOR, Ho Dong-hwa, on the title page. The author has put HIS CHOP beside his inscription. Large Format Hardcover Book, blue cloth covered boards, gilt titling to the front cover and spine, 10.5 x 14.5 inches, textured silver endpapers, 323 pages plus a Colophon page, housed in a matching blue paper covered folding case. The book contains 38 pages of Essays in English, followed 168 Color Plates on 218 pages (some plates double page), followed by 38 pages of Essays in Korean, followed by an Explanation of the Works (each of the 168 plates is described, this section in Korean only), followed by a Bibliographical Chronology of Huh Dong-hwa in English and Korean, and ending with the Colophon Page. The gorgeous 168 Color Plates, illustrated on 218 pages, are divided into the following four categories: FOLDING SCREEN EMBROIDERY; WRAPPING CLOTH; COSTUME AND EVERYDAY ARTICLES EMBROIDERY; and BUDDHISM EMBROIDERY. Condition: FINE book, tight, bright, clean and unmarked; in a NEAR FINE case that just has slight wear to a couple corner tips. A BEAUTIFUL COPY. SCARCE and LOVELY. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: This is a very large and very heavy book. It will be expensive to ship and will require substantial additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Thanks.

A Journey from St Petersburg to Moscow with numerous illustrations. 1836 First Edition.

A Journey to St. Petersburg and Moscow through Courland and Livonia (Heath's Picturesque Annual for 1836) Leitch Ritchie. Published by Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longman, 1836. First Edition. Illustrated by Alfred Gomersal Vickers. Hardbound in textured dark red cloth with blind embossed decorations to the covers and embossed gilt printing to the spine, 8" x 5", iv, [4], 256 pages, a.e.g. Beautifully illustrated with 24 steel engravings, frontispiece and half-title all with guards. VERY GOOD Condition: light wear to the extremities and spine folds. Internally, light foxing and small spotting to the plates and tissue guards, inner hinge cracked at engraved title but holding well by the sewn binding, overall tight, bright, clean and unmarked.

An antique travelogue of a journey through the Russian Empire made in April 1835, documenting the cities, towns, landmarks, points of interest, landscapes, and daily life on the route from St. Petersburg to Moscow.

Ritchie (1800-1865) was an English novelist who enjoyed some renown as a travel writer. This is a factual account of a journey made in April, 1835, under the employ of Charles Heath (1785-1848) renowned English Engraver and promoter of literary annuals including "Heath's Picturesque Annual". The plates are after drawings by English Painter A.G. Vickers (1810-1837) who died at age 27 just as his career was taking off.

AMERICAN POT LIDS, by Barbara Jackson and Sonny Jackson.

SIGNED and INSCRIBED by the authors. The inscription is one of the more unusual and funny ones I have seen in some time, though the authors may not have intended it that way!

"Ed, / May there be gold at the end of your shaft. / Best Wishes / Barbara and Sonny Jackson".

Self Published, San Pablo, California; Printed by Cerrito Printing, El Cerrito, California, 1987. ISBN: 0961898704.

Hardcover Book in Dustjacket, 8x10.5 inches, 91 pages. ILLUSTRATED throughout with b&w photographs and drawings of, what else, American Pot Lids.

Condition: NEAR FINE book, sharp cornered, tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked; in a GOOD MINUS dustjacket that is substantially sunned (losing much of its pink color), and has a bit of edgewear, but is still doing its job well. A nice, presentable copy.

Original mounted albumen photograph, circa 1890 of a Ten Mule Jerk Line Wagon Stagecoach parked in front of an unidentified building somewhere in the Napa Valley. 7" x 5" photograph mounted on 9" x 7" mounting board with beveled edges. VERY GOOD Condition: antique photograph has a touch of surface wear and a few tiny stains, the mount has corner wear, otherwise an excellent image. The back of the mount has the ownership label of Helen Sturdivant.

The 10 mule jerk line transport wagon was the 18 wheeler of its time, transporting harvested grapes or prunes to their respective wineries or processing facilities. The term "jerk line" refers to the method used by the driver to steer the mules, that is, jerking the reigns. Men would earn $1.50 to $2.00 a day in the 1890's driving freight by jerk line.

From the collection of John Emmett Cakebread (1930-2022) Pioneering Napa Valley Winemaker, Philanthropist, and Bohemian Club Member. The Sturdivant family owned 22 acres in the Napa Valley, Sturdivant Cattle Ranch and vineyards, now Cakebread Cellars. In the 1970s the Cakebreads purchased the property from the Sturdivants.

This is a JAPANESE ART MONOGRAPH on a POTTER / CERAMACIST. The monograph consists mainly of his GORGEOUS TEA CUPS, though there are some paintings and calligraphy as well. I do not read Japanese and can not figure out who the potter is, but perhaps you can do both. He seems to me to be a somewhat recent ceramicist making teacups in a traditional style. Softcover book, 8.5x10.5 inches. There are 80 COLOR PLATES of CERAMIC WORKS, either 1 or 2 to a page, plus 24 PLATES of CALLIGRAPHY and PAINTINGS, mostly 1 to a page. There are also some pages of text at both the front and rear of the book, text entirely in Japanese. VERY GOOD condition, a bit of shelf rubbing and signs of light handling, overall tight, bright, clean and unmarked. A very nice copy. I tried to provide enough photos to give you a good idea of the book.

Uncommon antique illustrated guide to building American Victorian homes.

SUPPLEMENT TO BICKNELL'S VILLAGE BUILDER, containing eighteen modern designs for country and suburban houses of moderate cost, with elevations, plans, section and a variety of details, all drawn to scale, also a full set of specifications, with approved form of contract, and estimates of cost.

Published by A. J. Bicknell & Co., Architectural Book Publishers, New York, 1871. Folio, hardbound in Publisher's textured brown cloth with embossed gilt printing on the front cover, 13.75" x 10.5" inches, brown endpapers, 70 un-numbered pages, richly illustrated with 20 architectural plates (one printed in color) printed on one side only, plus 17 pages of advertisements (including several printed in color, the final leaf being a full page color ad for Minton's floor tiles). GOOD CONDITION: Covers have edge, corner and spine-end wear, light bubbling/wear to the cloth, but remain solid and the gilt bright. Internally, hinges are tender but holding, some smudges in the margins from age/use, otherwise the inner pages are tight, bright, clean and unmarked. Uncommon.

This separately issued supplement to Bicknell's Village Builder (1870) includes designs by Architects D. B. Provoost, T. Thompson, C. Graham & Son, C. T. Rathbone, Lyman Underwood and B. H. Brooks. The plates provide scaled drawings of elevations and floor plans and include the estimated costs to build the homes at 1870 prices!

RARE ANTIOCH CHINESE FAMILY'S 1907 ANTIOCH GRAMMAR SCHOOL CABINET CARD CLASS PHOTOGRAPH. Antique photograph featuring the students and teachers of the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes posing on the front steps of the Antioch Grammar School building. The classes are a mixture of girls and boys, all the students are white except for one Chinese boy partially obscured by the child in front of him.

Original 1907 Cabinet Card Photograph. 12" x 10". With Chinese language handwritten note in black ink on the verso "1907 Antioch Elementary School Class" and in English in the same hand "3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades." The photographer is not stated nor is the name of the Chinese boy or his family identified. NEAR FINE CONDITION: a bright and clean image. Scarce.

Antioch, a Bay Area city on the banks of the San Joaquin River in Contra Costa County has a complicated history of discrimination against Chinese immigrants. Chinese people began to arrive in Antioch during the Gold Rush of 1848 and established a small Chinatown downtown. They faced ongoing racism, scapegoating and xenophobia between 1850 and 1876. Antioch officially became a "sundown town" banning Chinese residents from walking city streets after sunset. In 1860 the State banned Chinese children from attending public schools with white children, and created the Chinese Exclusion Acts. In 1876 the anti Chinese sentiments of the Antioch community reached a point of no return when white mobs forcibly displaced Chinese residents and burned Chinatown to the ground. For nearly 100 years after this, almost no Chinese people lived in Antioch. In 2021, Antioch became the first city in the U.S. to officially apologize for mistreatment of Chinese people.

ELEGANT TREASURES FROM AN AMERICAN PRIVATE COLLECTION. China Guardian Hong Kong Auction Catalog, for the auction that took place in Hong Kong on October 2, 2018. Beautifully produced and fully illustrated. Softcovers, 8.5x10.5 inches,, unpaginated (approximately 125 pages). Text in Chinese and English. Estimated prices are in HKD and USD. 45 lots (numbered 585 to 629) of exquisite and very rare Chinese Artifacts are fully described and catalogued. Each item is illustrated with one or more color photographs. The China Guardian Auction catalogues are beautifully produced. This catalogue is a true gem and an important reference. Hard to find in the United States. NEAR FINE condition, a bit of sunning to the spine, a slight bump at the bottom of the spine, overall looks and feels barely used. A lovely, solid copy.

EXPLORING MYSTIC DZI 3 - Organization, Chronology and Classification. By Yam Sheung-cheong. (Volume 3 in the Exploring Mystic Dzi series.)

HONG KONG: Aglow Trading Co., 2011. First edition. ISBN: 9789881724847. TEXT in CHINESE and ENGLISH.

Hardcover Book, in Dustjacket, in Slipcase, 8.5x12 inches (22x31 cm), 192 pages. ILLUSTRATED with hundreds of color photographs.

Condition: The book is in VERY GOOD condition, it is signed and inscribed on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, but the signature is a monograph that is unidentifiable by me, so I don't know if it does or does not have any relevance to this book; the rear bottom cover's corner tip is bumped, otherwise the book is tight, bright, clean and unmarked. In a GOOD dustjacket and slipcase that have superficial scratches, rubs, and general signs of handling, else both are bright and are doing their job well.

An important resource for anyone interested in dZi beads.

From the Publisher:

"For thousands of years, Tibetans have believed that dzi beads fell from the sky or were transformations of divine insects. In the 1970s, some scholars believed that dzi beads were made by Tibetans. Author Yam Sheung-cheong conducted in depth research in Tibet, Persia, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Southeast Asia, unveiling the mystery of the origin of dzi beads. From an academic perspective, he determined dzi beads were neither fallen from the sky, nor naturally formed, nor made by Tibetans - a revolutionary truth. Another key focus of this book is its exploration of the development of ancient dzi bead etching techniques and the classification and dating of various types of dzi beads. The author devoted considerable resources to collecting samples and conducting on site photography in countries and regions related to the history of dzi beads, resulting in a captivating and engaging book. Printed on high quality pastel paper in A4 format, the book contains 192 pages and hundreds of exquisite photographs. Traditional hardcover binding: hard cardboard cover with gold stamped lettering, plus a beautifully printed gold stamped slipcase, and thread stitched inner pages, From the content and photographs to the book's production, meticulous attention to detail is evident."

COLLECTION DE CHIFFRES, Composés par H. Desnoyers, Graveur de S. A. I. Mgr. le Prince Louis, Roi de Hollande. 1e & 2e Livraison / [Collection of Ciphers, Composed by H. Desnoyers, Engraver to His Imperial Highness Prince Louis, King of Holland. 1st and 2nd installment]

Published by Chez l'Auteur Rue du Lycée M.on de l'Athénée N° 2, Pres le Palais Tribunat. Paris, n.d. circa 1806-1810, first editions. Two volumes, printed terracotta pink wrappers, 9" x 13.75", complete with a total of 31 copper engraved plates on watermarked laid paper including title pages, advertisements and 27 plates with decorative letterforms, volume 1: [2 leaves] 14 numbered pages; volume 2: [2 leaves] 13 numbered pages. VERY GOOD Condition: spines perished, gatherings loosened but holding, small oval German library ink stamp to front covers and title page versos, a few pencil marks, light edge chipping to covers, author's signature stamp to title pages, internally excellent. Scarce, only two copies in OCLC collections worldwide, both volumes found together at the Bibliothèque National de France, and just volume 2 at the Institut National d'Histoire de l'Art, Paris.

Early French Empire typography was influenced by new styles of ornamental handwriting and their engraved reproductions. The engraved decorative letterforms (chiffres) that fill these two volumes include ornate monograms with lavishly curved scripts, ciphers, and rococo lettering with thinly sculpted lines. These books were used by artists, artisans, calligraphers, goldsmiths, and stamp carvers for their wealthy clients. Personalized ciphers, decorative letterforms, monograms and heraldic initials were major status symbols in 19th century France. During the Empire and Bourbon Restoration periods they were used to elevate ordinary possessions into extensions of identity. For the French elite, these bespoke interlaced initials were stamped onto stationery, silver, and wax seals, clearly broadcasting lineage and social standing in a rapidly shifting societal landscape.

H. Desnoyers (Auguste Gaspard Louis Hilaire Boucher Desnoyers; Baron Boucher Desnoyers) (French, 1779-1857) Born in Paris, he became one of the foremost engravers of his era, given the title of Baron and favored by the courts of Napoleon and Louis XVIII. He was the official draftsman and engraver of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (brother of Napoleon I), who became King of Holland in 1806.

In 1806, Napoleon appointed his brother, Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, King of Holland. A short lived tactical decision which did not go according to plan. In 1810 Napoleon forced his brother to abdicate and annexed Holland to the kingdom of France. Louis was the Netherlands' first king, and it would be five years until they found another when William of Orange Nassau declared himself King of Holland in 1815, in direct response to Napoleon's return from Elba and the impending threat that reached its bloody climax at Waterloo.

FINE-ENAMELLED WARE OF THE CH'ING DYNASTY - YUNG CHÊNG - PERIOD I AND PERIOD II (Two Volumes) - PORCELAIN FROM THE NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM.

Published by CAFA, Hong Kong, 1967.

Two Folio Volumes, hardcover books in dustjackets, one in a slipcase, both in their original boxes; 11x15 inches. The two "Yung Chêng Period" volumes have a total of 149 text pages and 110 pages of photographic plates illustrating 55 YUNG CHÊNG PERIOD PORCELAINS from various angles including the bottoms.

The PLATES are gorgeous, full color photographs on glossy heavy-stock paper. The colors are brilliant.

CONDITION: NEAR FINE books, sharp cornered, tight, bright, clean and unmarked. In VERY GOOD dustjackets; the dj of Volume I has some light indents to its dj likely from being used as a backing for writing a brief note; the dj of Volume II has some foxing / offsetting (mainly at the spine folds and top margin), otherwise both are bright and solid. Volume II is in a GOOD slipcase that has wear to its spine ends and the front top opening, otherwise it is solid and doing its job well, Volume I does not have a slipcase. Both Volumes are in GOOD boxes. All the photographic plates are in FINE condition.

This two volume set of the Yung Chêng Period was published as part of the twenty volume set published by the Chinese National Palace Museum which covered fine porcelain from the Sung to the Ch'ing periods. These two volumes are the complete publication of the Yung Chêng Period.

Rare Set of Both Volumes of the Fine Enamelled Ware of the Yung Chêng Period, in their original packing boxes.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: These two large volumes are heavy and will require substantial additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Or you can contact us ahead of time to find out the shipping charge to your country. Thanks.