Search Results: Authors starting with S from Howard S. Mott, Inc

[CHRISTMAS]. SANDYS, William. Christmastide: Its History, Festivities, and Carols. [Illustrated]. 8vo, original blind stamped blue cloth (minor wear at corners and spine extremities), spine elaborately gilt, pp. [8], 327, [1], [24] ads + 8 lithographed plates (including frontispiece). London: John Russell Smith [1852].
First Edition. In addition to the tinted lithographed plates there are 17 in-text vignettes, as well as words and music for 12 Christmas carols. With 1856 ownership signature of G[ulian] C[rommelin] Verplanck (1786-1870), Columbia College graduate, well-known New York lawyer, enemy of De Witt Clinton, legislator, author, editor of Shakespeare and professor. Excellent copy.

A FINE PASTEL OF 18-YEAR-OLD POLLY MARSH, NEW MILFORD, CONNECTICUTSCHIPPER, Gerritt (1775-ca. 1830), Dutch-born artist in America. [MARSH, Polly, nee Sherwood, subject (Oct. 13, 1788-March 24, 1863), so identified on verso]. A fine miniature watercolor pastel portrait on paper of Polly Marsh, of New Milford, Connecticut, 5 1/2 x 4 1/2", inside what looks to be a period frame, with what appears to be new glass. N.p., n.d., [New Milford, Connecticut? 1805-1807].
Based on Schipper's dates in Connecticut, Miss Marsh would have been a teenager when she was painted, 19 at the outside. She was born in New Milford, Litchfield County, Connecticut, where she seems to have lived her entire life; where she married, died, and is buried. Hers is a bust portrait in profile, hair up in a bun, wearing a white dress with puffed sleeves, frilly at the neck. Polly was the daughter of Polly and Daniel Sherwood, of New Milford, her father a mason by trade. Daniel enlisted in 1776, and served in the 2nd Regt., Conn.… Read More

[SEALSFIELD, Charles, adopted name of Karl POSTL (1793-1864)]. Les Emigrés Français dans la Louisiane (1800-1804). Small 8vo, original printed green wrappers (minor rubbing), pp. [4], ii, 194, [1], uncut & unopened. Paris: Librairie de L. Hachette, 1853.
First French Edition, translated from the German. Issued by "Bibliotheque des chemins de fer." Selections, adapted by the translator, to form a continuous narrative from four of Sealsfield's stories from his Lebensbilder aus beiden Hemispharen (Zurich: 1834-37). A former ordained priest in Prague, Carl Anton Postl lived in the United States working as a journalist from 1823 to 1832, partly in Louisiana. He was the author of the great Texas novel, The Cabin Book. The only copy for sale online (1/21/21) is rebound; described by a dealer as "rare" in 1929. OCLC locates four copies, two in Canada, two in France. In morocco backed cloth folding case. Howes P503. Sabin 2251. Thompson, Bibliography of Louisiana Books and Pamphlets 1433.… Read More

[SEALSFIELD, Charles, adopted name of Karl POSTL (1793-1864)]. HARDMAN, [Frederick], editor and translator. Frontier Life; or, Scenes and Adventures in the Southwest. By Francis [sic] Hardman.
12mo, original green cloth decorated in blind, gold stamped pictorial & lettered spine, frontispiece, pp. 376, [8] ads. Buffalo: Derby, Orton and Mulligan: Auburn: Derby and Miller, 1853.
First American Edition; the variant with double imprint. A scarce volume of adaptations from the German works of Postel who wrote under the pen name Charles Sealsfield, the author of the great Texas novel, The Cabin Book. Originally published in Edinburgh by Blackwood the previous year with the title, Scenes and Adventures in Central America. A former ordained priest in Prague, Carl Anton Postl lived in the United States working as a journalist from 1823 to 1832, partly in Louisiana. This contains two stories under the heading, Adventures in Louisiana; three Adventures in Texas; Two Nights in Southern Mexico; two… Read More

ILLUSTRATED HORSE WHISPERER BROADSIDE: A RAREY IMITATOR[RAREY, John Solomon]. SELDEN, Dr. A[lbert]. W., of Louisville, Ky.'Tachyhippodamia!' Or, the Art of Taming Wild and Vicious Horses. Dr. A. W. Selden, of Louisville, KY., The World-Renowned Horse Doctor & Trainer, will give A Free Lecture on the Physiology, Diseases, Anatomy, and the Training and Handling of Horses, At [in manuscript: Union Hall, Millersville (Pa.)] on
[in manuscript: Thursday Eve Sept. 8th at 7 O'clock]. The Doctor will, if the citizens wish, take up a Class and teach the whole VETERINARY SCIENCE...TAMING HORSES HE WILL TEACH THE FOLLOWING [10] THINGS...He will also introduce his INDIAN WAR BRIDLE, which if any Scholar says is not worth the Price of Tuition alone, no Charges will be made. Large folio broadside, 18 1/2 x 13 1/4", inside decorative border. N.p., n.d. [Wheeling, West Virginia?] Daily Intelligencer Print [1864?].… Read More

DEMONIC POSSESSION
SHARP, Granville. The Case of Saul, shewing that his disorder was a real spiritual possession, and proving…that actual possession of spirits were generally acknowledged by the ancient writers among the Heathens as well as among the Jews and Christians. First Printed in the Year 1777, as an Appendix to a Tract on the Law of Nature and Principles of Action in Men. To which is added, A Short Tract, wherein the influence of Demons are further illustrated to remarks on 1 Timothy iv. 1-3. 8vo (in 4s), disbound, half-title, title, pp. iv, 187, xv (index). London: Printed by W. Calvert for Vernor and Hood [&5 others], 1807.
With the half-title. First Complete Edition of a work on demonic possession containing the conclusion and two "appendages" not printed in A Tract on the Law of Nature and Principles of Action in Men (1777). Remarks on 1 Timothy as separate title. Minor foxing, mostly front and back.

INSCRIBED TO PINEROSHAW, [George] Bernard. Back to Methuselah: A Metabiological Pentateuch. 8vo, original cloth, fore and bottom edges uncut. London: Constable and Company, 1921. First English Edition. Significant inscribed copies in dust wrapper are scarce. Shaw's series of plays were published in London 22 days after the American edition, an edition whose misprints irritated the author. A significant association copy, presented one day before publication to one of the leading playwrights of the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras, inscribed on half-title: "To Arthur Pinero from Bernard Shaw. 22d June 1921." The two were friends, but Shaw would shortly be critical of Pinero as he "preferred to notice only Pinero's failings, finding him too timid in treating social problems and accusing him of opportunism in the way he introduced and handled them. Shaw's strictures were accepted, repeated and expanded upon, in the… Read More

POEMS FOR CHILDREN: AN EARLY COPY BEING ONE OF FIVE
SIGNED THE DAY AFTER BEING DEPOSITED IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
SHERMAN, Frank Dempster. Little-Folk Lyrics. 16mo, original tan cloth stamped in black, pp. 88, t.e.g. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1892.

First Edition. An early copy, signed by the poet on half-title. Sherman (1860-1916), was a professor of architecture and graphics at Columbia (1887-1916), known for his charming, witty, occasional verse. Tipped-in is a October 9, 1892, ALS in pencil to Miss Emily Hoe Lawrence, from Edwin B[abcock] Holden (1861-1906), American book collector, an early member and president of the Grolier Club, in which he writes, "Dear Miss Lawrence, The poet was here this P. M. & possibly would have sent you this himself were he not too bashful. You will note that it is an autograph copy & should be duly appreciated as he only signed five copies." Emily Hoe Lawrence (1834-1909), was the wife of Cyrus J. Lawrence, wealthy New York banker and collector.… Read More

VERY LARGE COLORED LITHOGRAPHED SHAKER CHART
[SHAKER BIBLICAL CHART]. SKEEN, Jacob, Louisville, Kentucky. Genealogical, Chronological and Geographical Chart embracing Biblical and Profane History of Ancient Times from Adam to Christ. Two (2) Large Folio colored lithographed sheets in 6 colors, 86 x 65cm; 31 1/4 x 45 3/4" (image size inside decorative border). Louisville, KY: Publishers & Propritors: Skeen Chart Co., Limited; Jacob Skeen, Louisville, Ky...Benjamin Gates, Mt. Lebanon, N.Y., M. B. Carter, Union Village, Ohio...Louisville, Ky. Kentucky Lith. & Printing Co., 1887.
"These huge lithograph color sheets depict genealogical charts from Adam to Jesus Christ and other genealogical charts of Biblical characters. The chronology dates from 4004 B. C. to 100 A. D. Four maps show the Eastern and Western hemispheres, 19th century Europe, the location of the tribes of Israel, Russia, and the Near East. Extensive tables give dates, Biblical references, prophecies, miracles and parables, etc. An… Read More

CATARACTS OF TROLLHATTAN, SWEDEN, ILLUSTRATEDSKJÖLDERBRANK, [Count] A[nders] F[redrik], author and artist. Description des cataractes et du canal de Trolhättan en Suède; avec un précis historique. [Illustrated]. Small 4to, contemporary 1/2 tree calf, marbled boards, leather label, title, extra engraved title, pp. 47, [1] eratta, [1] table + 12 aquatint plates, tinted by hand with a sepia wash (including 1 map). Stockholm: Charles Delen, 1804.
Only Edition. A crisp copy, nearly fine. Illustrates the cataracts of Trollhätta, Sweden, depicting falls, canals with boats passing through, dams, locks, etc., the illustrations with original tissue guards. The Göta River "descends 108 ft. in the course of nearly a mile by the famous falls...(6 in number) and several rapids. The scenic setting of the falls is not striking, but the great volume of water, nearly 18,000 cut. Ft. per second, renders them most imposing."-Ency. Brit. The author/artist also… Read More

SLADEN, Douglas.
Australian Lyrics &c. 8vo, original cloth backed printed wrappers (soiled), pp. 68. Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide: George Robertson, 1883. First Edition of Sladen's second book. Two poems are concerned with the death of Longfellow. Sladen (1856-1933) was a celebrated and prolific writer of poetry, fiction and biographies. With tipped-in between pp. viii & [9] is an errata, and a bifolium prospectus with two printed pages of ads for one of the author's books. Also tipped-in are several contemporary reviews of the book, presumably by Julia Winstanley whose ownership signature is on title, and who was possibly related to the Australian novelist Elizabeth Winstanley. In morocco backed cloth folding case. Miller, Australian Literature 1810-1938 I, p. 258. NCBEL III, p. 648. A bit grubby with dusty wrappers and light occasional foxing. There are no copies listed online at this writing (3/2/21), and… Read More

SPECIALLY BOUND FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS ONLY
SMITH, Albert W. John Edson Sweet: A Story of Achievement in Engineering and of Influence upon Men. Will Illustrations. 8vo, original ½ green morocco, spine gilt lettered, "Anbrose Swasey" gilt stamped on front cover, pp. 220, t.e.g., uncut. New York: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1925.
First Edition. With tipped-in printed leaf presenting the book to Ambrose Swasey, the great American mechanical engineer, "in appreciation for his service as a member of the committee on the life of John Edson Sweet." Signed by the author, engineer, dean of Sibley College, Cornell University & acting president of the university, and the five committee members, Ambrose Swasey, distinguished mechanical engineer; Frederick A. Halsey, American mechanical engineer and economist, and long-time editor of the American Mechanist magazine; F[rank] G[ifford] Tallman, philanthropist, Du Pont V.P., and Lincoln collector; and… Read More

"AUTHORSHIP WITH ME, HAS BEEN MORE A RECREATION THAN PURSUIT"
SMITH, R[ichard] Penn (1799-1854). American author and editor. ALs to Lewis J. Cist, Cincinnati autograph collector, banker, and author. 1 full-page, with integral address-leaf. Philadelphia, Oct. 25, 1837.
An early addition to what must have the nascent autograph collection of 19-year-old Lewis J. Cist (1818-1885), one of the leading American autograph collectors; his collection being excelled only by the great William E. Sprague collection. Cist, the eldest son of the Cincinnati publisher Charles Cist, became a banker, and also wrote considerable verse. Smith provides a full-page answer to Cist's second request for Smith's autograph. "I have just received a second letter from you requesting my autograph. Your first should have been promptly answered, but really I misunderstood the spirit in which it was written-believing it to be the practical joke of some good natured friend." He says, "Authorship with me, has been… Read More

AN ARCHIVE OF LETTERS OF A CONSERVATIONIST, WOODSMAN, TRAPPER, TRAVELER & AUTHOR
SPEARS, Raymond Smiley (1876-1950). Award-winning author, woodsman, trapper, journalist, traveler, president of the American Trappers' Association. An archive of TLS's and retained copies of TLS's, mostly 4to, 114pp., comprising correspondence between Spears (his letters are lengthy) and his literary agent, William Gerard Chapman, International Press Bureau, Chicago, entirely about Spears' prolific literary endeavors, and wildlife conservation. Principally from Little Falls, New York and Inglewood, California, 1921-1941
A fascinating collection of letters by a fascinating man. Spears tells Chapman that "I've written, had published, millions of words in fiction, a million or two on regional and local political matters, and hundreds of articles on general and political and wildcrafting and touring-travel, strange region tripping and seeing and experiencing..." His eleven published books include an account of a trip on… Read More

A SOURCE BOOK FOR JEZEBELL PETTYFER
[MACFALL, Haldane]. ST. JOHN, Sir Spenser. Hayti or The Black Republic. 8vo, nearly contemporary (remainder?) cloth, pp. xiv, [2], 343. London: Smith, Elder, 1884.
First Edition. An important copy bound without the map. ODNB calls this a "savagely hostile" book. We have seen the book referred to as "racist." It was written by a British diplomat who spent several years in the country. This copy belonged to Haldane Macfall while he was writing his classic picaresque West Indian masterpiece set in Barbados, The Wooings of Jezebel Pettyfer (1897). Ownership inscription inside front cover: "C. Haldane Macfall 60 Wynnstay Gardens Kensington SW '96." Macfall has made marginal scorings and underlinings on 82 pages in pencil, the greatest number in the section on voodoo, and also written 44 words. On free half of front end paper he cites three books on Haiti, calling Moreau de St. Mery's "excellent & truthful."… Read More

BOUND FOR A DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN ADMIRAL
[SMITH, Rear Admiral Jospeh]. [UNITED STATES NAVY]. Register of the Commissioned, Warrant, and Volunteer Officers of the Navy of the United States, including Officers of the Marine Corps and others, to January 1, 1865. 8vo, full navy blue morocco, decorative gold rolled borders, gold lettered and decoarated spine, stamped in gold in front cover: "Navy Register 1865. Rear Adm'l Joseph Smith. Chief of Bureau, Yards & Docks," pp. 335, marbled edges, with eleven (11) navy blue gold lettered morocco tabs for various ranks of officers from admiral to midshipman, Marine and volunteer. Washington: GPO, 1865.
Joseph Smith (1790-1877) entered the navy in 1809, and served with distinction throughtout a career that spanned 62 years of continuous naval service. He was severely wounded during the Battle of Lake Champlain in the War of 1812; served on the USS… Read More

STRUTT, Joseph.
The Regal and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of England: containing, in a compleat series, the representations of all the English Monarchs, from Edward the Confessor to Henry the Eighth. Together with many of the great persons that were eminent, under their several reigns.
4to, contemporary polished calf, red leather lettering piece, pp. 39 + 60 engraved plates printed in sepia (with tissue guards). London: Published for the Author, by J. Thane, Printseller; and to be had also of Mr. Shropshire, and Mr. Snelling, 1773.
First Edition of Strutt's first book, of which he was author and illustrator. Short crack in lower front hinge, but very firm, and in all, a fine, crisp copy. "The figures are principally introduced in antient delineation of the most remarkable passages of history; and are correctly copied from the original, which particularly express the dress and customs of the time, to which each piece respectively relates. The whole carefully collected from antient illuminated… Read More

IN DUST JACKET
STUART, Ruth McEnery.
The River's Children. An Idyl of the Mississippi. With pictures by Harry C. Edwards. 12mo, original gilt stamped pictorial green cloth, frontispiece, pp. 179 + 4 plates, fore and bottom edges uncut. New York: Century Co., 1904.
First Edition. Minor foxing of end papers, else a fine copy in pictorial dust jacket which repeats the front cover illustration. There's an arrowhead shaped piece missing at the bottom of the front panel of the pictorial jacket taking five letters of the author's name, and a 1 1/2 x 1 1/2" piece missing from the lower left corner of rear panet takng part of a goodly portion of a blurb for one of the publisher's novels. Also some minor loss to the spine extremities of the jacket, with no loss of printing. Still, the jacket is rare, and it is mostly present. "A sort of pagan worship of the great river Mississippi is the keynote of this somewhat desultory tale of creoles and negroes in Louisiana. The book begins with a great bustle… Read More

AN EARLY GO-FUND-ME ACCOUNT SET UP FOR A PRINTER!
[SWAN, James, printer]. Dreadful Fire in Fleet-Street. 8vo broadside, 8 3/4 x 5 ½". [London:] T. Davison, Printer, Whitefriars [1807].
On August 20TH, 1807, the printing office of John Swan, Crown-court, corner of Salisbury-square, was destroyed by fire, as were four other houses. According to Timperley, Swan's loss was £2000 above his insurance. A report of the fire was carrried in The Times, 21 August 1807. This 30-line broadside describes his loss and extols the virtues of the man himself, while appealing for funds on his behalf. Lost were "his stock in trade, his household furniture, his wearing apparel, and all his comforts and prospects in life…" Below the text are the names of 37 subscribers to the fund, and the amounts subscribed for, many of them printers, including, ironically, Thomas Bensley, whose warehouse containing much literary property was destroyed by fire less than three months later, on… Read More

VERNACULAR PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM OF A DAY ON THE THAMES
[SWASEY, Ambrose, mechanical engineer & Charles Churchill, manufacturer of mechanical of machine tools]. Photograph album with 12, original photographs, consisting of a group photo, and 11 with manuscript captions by Charles Churchill, each measuring 2 ¾ x 3 ¾". Oblong 8vo, original maroon ½ calf over wavy cloth, "Trenagraphs" lettered in gold on front cover. England, 1897. Inscribed on binder's leaf by Charles Churchill, "A recollection of Saturday August 21st 1897," and at the top of the same leaf in pencil by the recipient, the great American mechanical engineer Ambrose Swasey (see DAB): "Presented by Chas. Churchill London. Rec'd at Liverpool Eng. Sept. 14, 1897. Our picnic on the Thames, with Mr. Churchill his family and Employees." American-born Charles Churchill (1837-1916) founded Charles Churchill & Co., Ltd., which became… Read More