BERNARD QUARITCHI'S GENERAL CATALOGUE. 5 Ars Moriendi: FACSIMILE EDITION OF THE BLOCK BOOK. THE ARS MORIENDI (editio princeps, circa 1450), a reproduction of the copy in the British Museum, edited by W. H. Rylands; with an introduction by G. BULLEN, Keeper of the Printed Books in the British Museum, 4to., 24 artistically reproduced facsimiles, eleven of them exquisite full-page designs, of the original Block Book, by F. C. Price (pub. at £1. 11s 6d), cloth, 148 Holbein Society, 1881 "This Block Book consists of twelve separate sheets of two leaves each, printed on the inner side only, so that the recto of folios 1, 3, 5, etc., and the verso of folios 2, 4, 6, etc., are left blank, and folios 2 and 3, 4 and 5, etc., could be pasted together to form respectively a single leaf. The impression was taken in pale brown ink, by rubbing. There are eleven illustrations, each occupying a whole page, on the verso of folios 3, 5, 7, etc.; the explanatory letterpress being given on the recto of folios 4, 6, 8, etc. Folio 1 verso and 2 recto contain the introduction, in 30 and 29 lines respectively. Every leaf is surrounded by a border of 3 lines, of which the top and right sides are shaded on folios 1-13, 15, 17, 19-23, the bottom and left on folios 14, 16, 18, and the top and left on folio 24. Without title-page or pagination. Folio 13 verso has in the corner the sign 7. which is the only signature occurring in the book. On folios 14, 16, 18, 24 (text) the letter u is always written ŭ. This edition is believed by Weigel and others to be the first edition of this often-repeated work, by reason of the beauty and originality of the designs, and the sharpness of outline, which proves the impression to be an early one." The above is a reproduction of Block this Book, executed in facsimile with the pen, by Mr. F. C. Price, and transferred to the stones, from which it has been printed. As a specimen of facsimile art it is a perfect marvel, and shows at once the superiority of this kind of reproduction to the photographic process; as any one may see by comparing it with the photographic reproduction of the present work, published by Weigel himself in 1869. Among the treasures acquired by the British Museum at the Weigel Sale, at Leipsic, in 1872, by far the most important was this celebrated copy of the " Ars Moriendi," a Block Book executed in the best style of art prevalent at the time of its production, perfect as to the number of its leaves, and in a marvellous state of preservation. For this remarkable production the trustees paid the sum of £1072. 10s, exclusive of commission, being the highest price ever paid by them for any single xylographic or printed work. Bartsch (C.) le Peintre-graveur, 21 vols. 8vo. the early volumes reprinted at Leipzig, with numerous plates, with the text and the oblong 4to. Atlas of 16 EXTRA PLATES, half morocco gilt, £12. 12s Vienna and Leipsic, 1803-71 This is the best Hand-book for Print-collectors. Copies are getting scarce. The oblong 4to. Atlas of 16 extra plates, separately, 10s WEIGEL (R.) Suppléments au Peinture-graveur, Tome I: Peintres et Dessinateurs Néerlandais, sm. 8vo. sd. 78 6d Just out. Leipzig, 1843 Beddoe's (John) Races of Britain: a contribution to the Anthropology of Western Europe, 8vo. VIII, 276 pp. numerous Ethnological map and tables (pub. at 21s), cloth, 16s Bristol, 1885 Beechey's (Capt. F. W.) Zoology of his Voyage TO THE PACIFIC: MAMMALIA, edited by Dr. RICHARDSON; ORNI- Barrett's the Magus, or Celestial Intelligencer; being a complete system of Occult Philosophy; in three Books; containing the Ancient and Modern Practice of the Cabalistic Art, Natural and Celestial Magic, &c.; showing the wonderful Effects that may be performed by a Knowledge of the Celestial Influences, the occult Properties of Metals, Herbs and Stones, and the application of Active to Passive Principles. Exhibiting the Sciences of Natural Magic; Alchymy, or Hermetic Philosophy; also the Nature, Creation, and Fall of Man; his natural and supernatural Gifts; the magical Power inherent in the Soul, &c.: with a great variety of rare Experiments in Natural Magic: the Constellatory Practice, or Talismanic Magic; the Nature of the Elements, Stars, Planets, &c. ; the Construction and Composition of all Sorts of Magic Seals, Images, Rings, Glasses, &c.; the Virtue and Efficacy of Numbers, Characters, and Figures, of goodand evil Spirits; all kinds of Cabalistic Figures, Tables, Seals, and Names, with their Use, &c. The Times, Bonds, Offices, and Conjuration of Spirits. To which is added Biographia Antiqua, or the Lives of the most eminent Philosophers, Magi, &c. By Francis Barrett, F.R.C., Professor of Chemistry, Natural and Occult Philosophy, the Cabala, &c. &c. 4to. with 23 curious engravings, comprising coloured portraits of Apollyon, Belial, Ophis, Antichrist, Asmodeus, Astaroth, Abaddon, and other diabolical Spirits, magical and cabalistical figures, &c. hf. morocco, Roxburghe style, gilt top, 1801 An absolutely necessary book or all who believe or think they believe in a communication between the spiritual and material worlds. "In the eighteenth century books of magic are few and unimportant, and we have probably said enough to give an idea of their contents in the preceding period, which changed little, and to be able to pass on to a very notable contribution to the literature of the subject, which appeared in the first year of the nineteenth century. This was The Magus or Celestial Intelligencer,' by Francis Barret (London, 1801). Written in the true spirit and style of the magician, it is a resumé of all that has preceded it in the occult sciences. It is curious to see in comparatively modern type, all the old familiar signs and phrases, for none are wanting. It gives the system of alchemy, with its array of chemical and metallurgical terms, of astrology and cabalistic magic, and even of magnetism, which was then in its infancy and still partook of the miraculous. The work is illustrated with plates giving various formula, and with coloured portraits of fallen angels, such as Apollyon and Belial, evil spirits such as Ophis, Antichrist, Ashta10th, Abaddon and Mammon, all of whom were conjured by witches. It is a monument to the ingenuity of mankind in building up a science to suit the desire after foresight which is inherent in it. If any one were seized with a wish to make himself acquainted with the whole study (for the occult sciences are not acquired without much labour), no better work could be recommended to him. The book ranges over a wide field: it shows that natural magic is Divine character, it teaches the power of talismans, and the way and the times in which they are to be used, showing that the spirit of a human being is the real agent in imparting virtue to an inanimate object. "It describes all the instruments used by the old magicians, and sets forth the power of numbers when arranged mathematically. It illustrates the mysteries of the Cabala, by which a man may be a recipient of Divine light and knowledge and be able to heal diseases. "At the end there is a 'Magical Biography,' which gives, in an exaggerated form the lives of a few celebrated philosophers. This, we believe, is the last work of its kind."-The Bibliographer, March, 1884. Now ready Vols. I. and II. of The Memorial Edition of the Works of THOMAS BEWICK, in five volumes, royal 8vo. The appearance of this edition, first announced in 1882, has been unavoidedly delayed by the deaths, successively, of Mr. ROBERT WARD, the printer, and Miss ISABELLA BEWICK, Bewick's only surviving daughter. The original blocks, which were sold recently, have been purchased by Mr. Ward's sons and successors, who will now proceed with the work. Paper expressly prepared for the reception of woodcuts will be used; and all the modern improvements of typography will be enlisted in order to secure brilliant and effective impressions. The set will consist of 5 volumes, royal 8vo. : Vols. I. II. History of British Birds; Land Birds and Water Birds, with the woodcuts of the Supplements incorporated Vol. III. History of Quadrupeds Vol. IV. Esop's Fables 2 vols. 1 vol. 1 vol. Vol. V. Memoir of Thomas Bewick, written by himself, with numerous woodcuts prepared for a projected History of British Fishes 1 vol. The last volume will be prefaced and annotated by Mr. AUSTIN DOBSON, in whose hands Bewick's papers and correspondence, together with the original MS. of the "Memoir," have been placed by the late Miss Isabella Bewick's Executors. The "Memoir," which was edited by Miss Jane Bewick in 1862, will now be printed more completely. This edition will be issued to Subscribers only; and is limited to 750 copies. No volume will be sold separately. The name of Bewick is, and has been, a household-word in English Homes since the beginning of the present century. Next to the Bible and the Common Prayer, no books have been handled with greater veneration than those illustrated with woodcuts by Bewick. His Birds, Quadrupeds, and Fables have been affectionately studied and admired by four generations of English men and women. As the original editions have become very scarce and very dear this new MEMORIAL EDITION—the first one in a collective form—will, at a comparatively moderate cost, give to the present generation a delightful opportunity of enjoying the artistic truth and vigour of Bewick's famous cuts in all their original beauty. Intending Subscribers can either pay the price of £2. 10s per volume as each volume is delivered, or secure the complete work on more advantageous terms by prepaying the sum of Ten Guineas. "While speaking of the English school, I must not omit to notice a truly original original genius, who, though not a painter, was an artist of the highest order in his wayThomas Bewick,the admirable designer and engraver on wood. His works, indeed, are of the smallest dimensions, but this makes it only the more surprising that so much interest could be comprised within such little spaces. The woodcuts that illustrate his books of natural history may be studied with advantage by the most ambitious votary of the highest classes of art -filled as they are by the truest feeling for nature, and though often representing the most ordinary objects, yet never, in a single instance, degenerating into common-place. The charming vignettes that ornament these books abound in incidents from real life diversified by genuine humour, as well as by the truest pathos-of which the single figure of a shipwrecked sailor saying his prayers on a rock, with the waves rising round him, is an instance. There is often in these little things a deep meaning that places his art on a level with styles which the world is apt to consider as greatly above it, in proof of which I would mention the party of boys playing at soldiers among graves, and mounted on a row of upright tombstones for horses; while for quaint humour, extracted from a very simple source, may be noticed a procession of geese which have just waddled through a stream, while their line of march is continued by a row of stepping-stones. The student of landscape can never consult the works of Bewick without improvement. The backgrounds to the figures of his Quadrupeds and his Birds, and his vignettes, have a charm of nature quite his own. He gives us, in these, every season of the year; and his trees, whether in the clothing of summer, or in the nakedness of winter, are the trees of an artist bred in the country. He is equally true in his little home scenes, his farm CRITICAL NOTICES OF "The first volume of the splendid Memorial Edition of the Works of Thomas Bewick, has just been issued to the subscribers, by Mr. B. Quaritch. It will be remembered, that the book was first announced in 1882; that the publication was delayed through the deaths of Miss Isabella Bewick and Mr. Robert Ward, the printer. The last volume-the fifth-will be prefaced and annotated by MR. AUSTIN DOBSON. No single volume will be sold, and the edition is limited to 750 copies. Judging from its appearance, we should say that this re-issue will form one of the most valuable books that have been issued by subscription.". The Publishers' Circular, August 1st, 1885. "Messrs. Ward & Sons, printers, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, have achieved a triumph in the manner they have reprinted the orignal woodcuts in their Memorial Edition of Bewick's Works. Vol. I, The Land Birds,' is now before the Public; Vols. 1I-V, completing the work, are promised within twelve months. The entire edition of 750 copies has been secured by Mr. Quaritch."-The Academy August 8th, 1885. 38, RATHMINES ROAD, DUBLIN, yards and cottages, as in the wild coast scenery with the flocks of sea birds wheeling round the rocks. In one of these subjects there stands a ruined church, towards which the sea has encroached, the rising tide threatening to submerge a tombstone raised to perpetuate the memory, &c. Bewick resembles Hogarth in this, that his illustrations of the stories of others are not to be compared with his own inventions. His feeling for the beauties of nature as they were impressed on him directly, and not at second-hand, is akin to the feelings of Burns, and his own designs remind me, therefore, much more of Burns than the few which he made from the poet."-Leslie's Hand Book for Young Painters. London. BERNARD QUARITCH, Responsible Publisher. LONDON, 15 Piccadilly, August, 1885. Bewick. A MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK, written by himself 8vo. xx, 344 pp. embellished by 52 wood engravings, designed and engraved by the author for a work on BRITISH FISHES, never before published, cloth, 15s Newcastle-on-Tyne, 1862 Binns (R.W.) Century of Pottery in the City of Worcester, being the History of the Royal Porcelain Works, from 17511851; to which is added a short account of the Celtic, Roman and Mediæval Pottery of Worcestershire; SECOND EDITION, with 109 plates and woodcuts, hf. morocco, £2. 128 6d 1877 the same, 4to. LARGE PAPER, with 12 extra photographic plates, only 1877 12 copies printed for sale, £7. 78 Bhagavad-Gita (The); or a Discourse between Krishna and Arjuna on Divine Matter, a Sanskrit philosophical poem, translated with notes, and an introduction on Sanskrit Philosophy, by J. Cockburn Thomson, square small 8vo. original unabridged edition, pp. cxix and 155, cloth, 78 6d Hertford, 1855 The Bhagavad Gita, which was written probably some time before the birth of Christ, and was inserted in the great epic poem Mahabharata, is not only a poem but also the greatest philosophical work which India has produced. It belongs to the Sankhya system-the most important of Hindu schools of philosophy-and is Pantheistic in its character. When we consider that the busy intellect of mankind has been engaged upon metaphysical inquiries for thousands of years, and that no advance has been made in real discovery, the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita is as valuable now as it ever has been, and offers a study as attractive as any other which exists for the student of the History of Religions. The introduction by Mr. Thomson, which gives with admirable condensation an analysis of the doctrines of all the Hindu systems of Philosophy, has long been acknowledged to be a masterpiece. Bibliography (Early Dutch): Holtrop (J. W.) MONUMENS TYPOGRAPHIQUES des PAYS-BAS au XVe SIÈCLE, Collection de Facsimile d'après les originaux conservés à la Bibliothèque Royale de la Haye et ailleurs, 21 parts, complete in 1 vol. atlas 4to. hf, bd. £6. 10s 1857-68 1857-68 The same, hf. bd. red morocco, gilt top, uncut, £7. 10s BIRCH (Walter de Gray) and Henry JENNER, Early Drawings and Illuminations: an introduction to the study of illustrated MSS. with a Dictionary of subjects in the BRITISH MUSEUM, 8vo. with 12 photographic facsimiles from pictures in old Greek, English, French, Italian, German, and Flemish MSS. (pub. 16s), cloth, 5s 1879 An Index to the Iconography of the MSS. in the British Museum ; extremely useful for students and artists. Any one who desires to know how any given subject or conception was treated in the Middle Ages (A.D. 4001500), or where the portrait of any historical or celebrated personage of those times may be found; or, what was the authentic form of any utensil, article of costume, weapon or piece of armour in any of the centuries comprised therein, --has only to look into this DICTIONARY to find an INSTANT REFERENCE to what he wants. BIRCH (Walter de Gray) History, Art, and Palæography of the Manuscript commonly styled the UTRECHT PSALTER, 8vo. 3 facsimile plates in autotype (pub. 12s), cl. gilt, 2s 6d 1876 A work of far greater value than the title would indicate to a cursory observer. An account of the development of Palæographical knowledge, and rules for its proper application in general, are combined with a special study of a MS. of unique importance, which from the peculiar character of its writing, the beautiful designs for pictures which it contains, and the fact that it exhibits the Athanasian Creed in an older text than any hitherto known, is especially valuable to the student of the history of Christianity, and to him who would investigate the science of Palæography and the history of Art. |