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Old Tomes

Old Tomes

Welcome to the Old Tomes Gallery.  This is the place to find pics (and at least a handful of some decent descriptions) of some pretty terrific old books, some pretty terrific REALLY old books, and some pretty terrific “sort of old” books.  If you’ve read “In Praise of the Printed Word – My Love Affair with Books,” you’ll know that I love books – all books – and I’ve got a whole collection of them.  I treasure all of my books, but the really, really old ones are just so incredibly cool.  You’ve got to be really careful with many old volumes.  They’re works of art in and of themselves, and they’re often extremely delicate.  That’s why I keep newer versions of so many of them around so I can still dig the content without wrecking the old printings (you’ll see some of these reader-friendly versions in this gallery, in fact).  There’s a fairly broad spectrum of bound and leafed literature on display in this gallery, but that display, sadly, is not all-encompassing. 

In my review of Truman Capote’s frightening “Shut a Final Door,” I mentioned that I’d lost a substantial number of books from my fairly extensive library to a flood, back in 2008.  In the aftermath, I boxed up the survivors and went about rebuilding my collection.  Such processes take time, and often require safe storage solutions until appropriate display capabilities are realized.  To further complicate matters, I’ve moved since that time, and have undertaken various remodeling and construction projects.  The upshot to all of this is that I’ve still got a whole bunch of books, which do not yet appear in this gallery, that are still in boxes (where they were packed for transport and safekeeping).  And I’ve gotta dig ‘em out.  I’ve got Enlightenment Period books in boxes.  I’ve got Victorian Era books, which gleam with gilt and embossed covers and glittering edge painting, and wait to return to the light of day.  I own an amazing 18th century book that once belonged to William Emerson, the father of the famous Transcendentalist writer, Ralph Waldo Emerson: this book contains the elder Emerson’s signature and a fabulous inscription, written in his own hand.  And it’s still boxed up where no one can enjoy it.  I’ve got a section of a stellar 14th century illuminated manuscript.  Boxed.  I’ve got the goods, and damn it, way too many of them are still in boxes.  But I promise, I’m working on it.  Once I get them unpacked, you’ll see them right here.  In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy these photos.  As I undertake the unpacking of my collection, I’ll include more pics here, so please check back in often if you’d like to see them.  Boxes.  Wtf?  Shame on me. 

Cheers, and Happy Gardening!

Old Tomes
The photo above features six books that are among the oldest volumes in my collection. Four were printed in the 1600s, one was printed in the 1500s, and one was thought to be from the 1500s (but was actually printed in 1736). They are remarkable not only because of their age, but also because of their intricate beauty and quality. Individual photos and descriptions follow.
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This photo, and the next two: "Manuale Graecarum Vocum Novum Testamenti." A study of the New Testament, in Greek. By Georgio Pasore. Printed in Holland in 1640 by the House of Elzevire. Bound in its original vellum.
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"The Twelve Caesars," or "De vita Caesarum." Gaius Seutonius Tranquilis, known as Seutonius. 1675. Latin. This volume, printed in 1675, is of fine quality and is in nearly perfect condition. Its workmanship and detailing indicate a pedigreed provenance. It's likely that this work came from the library of a house of Italian nobility. The book is featured in this image, and in the next seven images.
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This photo, and the next two: Robert Bolton's "Instructions for a Right Comforting for Afflicted Consciences." Printed by Felix Kyngston, for Thomas Weaver. London. 1631.
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This image, and the next nine, feature John Stowe's (or Stow) "A Summarie of the Chronicles of England." London. 1575. This book is an original 1575 printing of John Stowe's "Chronicles." Stowe printed/published several volumes of this book beginning in 1565 (and including this 1575 volume). Stowe's book predates, and is not to be confused with, "Holinshed's Chronicles , which was first published in 1577. My Stowe's 1575 printing of "Chronicles" features exquisite Gothic type and exceptionally fine, hand-colored, black-line, woodcut illustrations. This book is an absolute jewel. The book's original leather bound boards (front and back covers) are intact, but the binding of the spine is a replacement from the 1700s. In spite of this replacement, the book remains an exceptional example of fine printing and bookbinding from the 1500s.
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This photo, and the next two, present "Dialogues Rustique." Paris. 1664. Dialog among a village priest, a shepherd, and a censer regarding his wife. En Français. This book was the property of the American theologian, James Freeman Clarke. He presented it as a gift to the Meadville Theological Seminary, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, before his death. This book's provenance is exceptional.
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This book has an interesting story. It was printed in 1736, which is pretty cool in and of itself, but I've got many books which are much, much older. It's not this book's age that makes it interesting, it's the confusion that surrounds it, and its unintentional misattribution. The book was thought to possibly be a 1551 printing of Robert Estienne's New Testament in Greek. Ancient, handwritten marginalia and tiny textual annotations referenced Estienne's 1546 edition, known as "O Mirificam" (it was thought to be the 1551 printing because that edition was the first time the New Testament had been printed with the individual verses broken down and organized numerically - as this particular printing does). Further, the first several leaves (pages) of the book (which correctly identify it as a work by biblical scholar Christiano Sigismundo Georgio, printed in 1736) appear radically different from the leaves of the main text in terms of type/font, and their apparent lack of leaf edge coloring. Bottom line: I researched the book before I bought it and determined it was Georgio's 1736 work. I bought it anyway - the price was right and I thought the backstory was cool. Plus, it's a beautiful book. This image, and the next fourteen, are of this book. The very next image shows the handwritten "O Mirificam" reference.
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"The Life of Jesus Christ." By Paul Wright. Printed and published by J. Foster, Winchester, VA, 1818. This image, and the next.
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This image, and the subsequent three: "Aspasia," Austrian writer Robert Hammerling's fictionalized account (translated to English from the German by Mary J. Safford) of the 5th century BC romance between the title character and the Athenian general and politician, Pericles. This exquisite two-volume set was published/printed by William S. Gottsberger in New York City in 1882 and is an excellent example of the bookbinding artistry so prevalent throughout the Victorian Era. The story is wonderful and the books themselves are works of art.
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More Victorian Era bookbinding artistry in this image, and the subsequent two. Embossed gilding on the boards and spine, and impeccable, lustrous leaf edge-gilding. "The Poetry and Poets of Britain, from Chaucer to Tennyson," by Daniel Scrymgeour. Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black, North Bridge. 1850. The book is as much a work of art as the treasures residing between its covers. It's a good thing I've got user-friendly paperbacks containing most of these works. Such implements come in handy when falling asleep while reading. It wouldn't do to drool all over the pages of a work of art like this one.
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Three of the books in this photo were written by Enlightenment Period writers and thinkers, and published and printed during the Enlightenment Period. One was written by a Scientific Revolution Period writer and thinker, but was published and printed during the Enlightenment Period. Descriptions accompany the next three images.
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Denis Diderot's two-volume set, "Oeuvres De Theatre." Published and printed in Amsterdam, in 1772 (within Diderot's lifetime).
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Another Enlightenment Period gem. Jean-Jacques Rousseau's "Letters on the Elements of Botany." Fourth Edition. Published and printed in London (Horace's Head, Fleet-Street) in 1794. Although this edition was printed within the period of the Enlightenment, it did come after Rousseau's death (1778).
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Francis Bacons "Essays." Printed in Glasgow by R. Urie in 1752. Bacon (1561-1626) was one of the major proponents of the Scientific Revolution, and one of its greatest thinkers and writers. The posthumous publication of this particular edition of his "Essays" is fitting, as the date of its printing falls squarely within the Enlightenment Period.
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This photo and the next eight: "Oeuvres de Moliere," two-volume set published and printed by Maison Didot (Firmin Didot et Cie), Paris. I'm unsure of the printing date. I've seen an 1859 Didot edition, and my set is not it. My best guess is that my set is the edition either preceding or immediately following the 1859 edition. In any case, the exquisite detail of the front and back boards and spine, and the beautifully marbled endpapers indicate a Victorian Era printing. These books, which were a gift from my dear friend Kevin Richardson, are works of bookbinding and printing art. Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (1622-1673), known professionally as Molière, was one of the greatest French language writers in history. His interpretations of the commedia dell'arte represent some of the greatest comedic stage productions in European history.
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This image, as well as the next one, feature my "Every Day Moliere" volumes. I can read these in bed, and my dog and I can fall asleep with them in a pool of our own slobber without worry. Plus, my French is sort of spotty - my go-to back-up Moliere is en Anglais.
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This image and the next seven: "An Old Sweetheart of Mine" by James Whitcomb Riley, with illustrations by Howard Chandler Christy. This hauntingly beautiful remembrance was first printed in 1888. Subsequent editions were printed in 1899, and 1902. My book is the 1902 edition. Despite the fact that its printing date of 1902 lands it in the realm of the Edwardian Era (by strictest definition), this book is pure Victorian, through and through. Riley's musings are ethereal, and the brilliant Christy's hand adds the perfect accompaniment to this beautiful writing. (One of my favorite joints to eat in Manhattan was George Lang's Café des Artistes. The food was killer and the portions were surprisingly ample, and the walls were decked out in Howard Chandler Christy murals. This book and the former eatery are, for me, inextricably linked.
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This book ain't old, but it sure is awesome. Readable, drool-friendly, and packed with great info - and the greatest works - of the great Greek dramatists of 500 BC-400 BC. Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripedes, and Aristophanes - they're all here, along with some history, background, and explanations of groovy ancient Greek drama devices like the Greek Chorus. Great little book that deserves a place here.
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This image, and the next two pertain to "Moments with Art," a beautiful homemade collection of fabulous art, featured here in the form of stunning engravings. This little book (another incredible gift from Kevin), according to Kevin's source, belonged to, and was curated by her great grandmother who was an art student in 1915. The pages feature said engravings, and the thoughts of the book's creator, lovingly written in cursive in her steady and meticulous hand.
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This image and the subsequent five: "A Dog of Flanders. "I'll quote from my earlier essay, "For My Dogs": '"A Dog of Flanders" by Maria Louise Ramé, writing as Ouida. This classic tale is about a young boy and his old dog, and the unbreakable bond between them. The story takes place in the populous city of Antwerp, but the two are truly alone in the world. They have only each other, and the unshakable devotion that exists between them. This unforgettable story was first published in 1872, and its continued power and profundity is a testament to not only the brilliant writing, but to the elemental nature of the love between a boy and his dog. I never get tired of reading this classic, and it never fails to move me to tears. Achingly beautiful and touching.' This particular copy is beautifully illustrated by Frances Brundage. The book was published by The Saalfield Publishing Company (Akron, Ohio/New York, NY) and the incredible illustrations have a copyright date of 1928. This incredibly beautiful copy of "A Dog of Flanders" is just one of several that I own. When I see a copy in a used bookstore, I always buy it. OCD? Nah. Just my passion for dogs, and this incredibly heartfelt chronicling of their character and devotion.
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This image and the next two: "Plutarch's Lives, Dryden's Translation." By A. H. Clough. Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1863. Books Two and Three of a three-volume set. The whereabouts of Volume One is anybody's guess. I actually found these in the basement of a former investment property (I can't believe I had to buy a 4-flat just to get a couple of old books). In any case, even though they have little or no dollar value whatsoever, they're great old volumes (a little beaten up, but still great, I think) packed with the writings of a celebrated 1st century AD writer and historian.
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This image, and the following five: "Book of Martyrs; or, A History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Triumphant Deaths, of the Primitive as well as Protestant Martyrs..." If this title doesn't scare the hell out of you, the amazingly detailed and graphic engravings definitely will. This incredible book, by Rev. John Fox (with "important alterations and additions" by Rev. Charles Goodrich, is a work of art that also serves as a grim testament to both the unshakable faith, courage, and conviction of some, and the limitless capacity for cruelty and evil of others. Its worn leather boards and spine contain stained and spotted leaves, which smell of the ages. The book was printed in Hartford, Connecticut by Philomen Canfield in 1832.
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The next two books are also gifts from my friend, Kevin Richardson (can you tell he's something of a bibliophile?): This image, and the next two, are of an exquisite vellum-bound comedy, "The Careless Husband," by Colley Cibber, and printed in London "for J. and R. Tonson" in 1756. It's a glorious little book, and the comedy is pretty clever (at least to the caution-dictated extent to which I've read it). The next book (in the six images pursuant to these first three) is another work of art. It is leather bound with lustrous edge gilding, gorgeously rendered endpapers, and intricate metal clasps. (I've got a couple of metal-clasped volumes in my collection, and let me tell you, there's nothing like the feel of one of them in your hands). It was printed in Germany in 1797, in the fabulous (and virtually indecipherable) Fraktur type, and in the German language. The best I can get out of it is as follows: It is a bible and book (Gesang Buch) of devotional songs (lieders). I'm no German scholar, so cut me slack here, huh? If anyone knows more (from looking at the pics) fill out a "Contact Me" form and drop me a line. In any case, the book is magnificent, and, as always, I'm grateful to my dear bud.
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This image, and the next: "Real Tales of Real Dogs" by Albert Payson Terhune, with etchings by Diana Thorne, printed in the U.S.A. by the Saalfield Publishing Company in 1935. Is there any wonder that this is one of my favorite books of all time? The work is large - 10"x12" with the leaves being stiff and of a heavy weight. The stories are beyond heartwarming and beyond poignant (how could they not be?), and Ms. Thorne's illustrations are incredible - executed in marvelous detail and with obvious love of her subjects. And to top it all off, there's a beautiful, handwritten inscription on the book's first page: "December 25 - 1939 Wishing you a Very Happy Christmas - To Phillip... From Patti Anne Lane" This book is glorious!!!
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This image and the following two: "Robinson Crusoe" by Daniel Defoe. W.B. Conkey Company, Chicago. The classic tale is one of my favorites, the illustrations (there are 70) are beautiful, and the book's former owner, Martha Clauss Harford, signed her name on the inside front cover. As far as this book's age is concerned, my best guess is that it was printed some time in the first half of the 20th century. It's a lovely book featuring a timeless tale and beautiful artwork. I'm proud to have it in my library.
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This image, and the next two: "Old English Ballads. A Collection of Favourite Ballads of the Olden Time." With fifty illustrations by Birket Foster, Joseph Nash, Frederick Tayler, George Thomas, John Absolon, and John Franklin. London. Ward and Lock, 158, Fleet Street. 1864. The book is an almost breathtakingly beautiful work of art. Stunning tooling and gilt work on the spine, and front and back boards, and incredibly well-preserved leaf edge gilding. There's no other ready source at my disposal for this incredible content (no drool/slobber-proof back-ups), so I'm careful when handling this jewel and reading through the ballads. From its wonderfully amazing content - the ballads and the artwork, to the beauty and quality of its construction, this is Victorian bookbinding at its most glorious.
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This image, and the next five: "Mr. and Mrs. Beans" by Robert L. Dickey. The halftone illustrations in this book were reproduced by special permission of the Philadelphia "Saturday Evening Post." Frederick A. Stokes Company, New York. 1928. This is an EXTREMELY RARE edition. An American classic. I'm extremely fortunate to have found this beautiful little book.
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Unbelievable Speed 2023
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Another Victorian Era gem, and another gift from my friend, Kevin. "Rambles Among the Wild Flowers," by M.A. Cooke, and published by T. Nelson and Sons (Edinburgh and New York) in 1898, beautifully demonstrates the elements of Victorian bookbinding artistry. It's pictured here, and in the next four images.
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This image, and the following two: Another "Gesangbuch." An Evangelical Lutheran Bible. I'm unsure of its age. Its condition is pristine and its quality is peerless. Its gilt and tooled boards and spine are gleaming and in perfect shape, as its edge gilding and floral/foliate-patterned endpapers. The cover appears to be individually monogrammed. It was printed in Milwaukee, WI by the Northwestern Publishing House, and was evidently issued by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. It's written in the German language in exquisite Fraktur type, and it is an absolute treasure. If it's old (and I think it's got at least several decades under its belt - maybe more), does its pristine condition imply a lack of use by the individual to whom it belonged? Its beauty, content, and mystery make this little book a genuine treasure.
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