Kunike, Adolph. Zwey hundert vier und sechzig Donau-Ansichten nach dem Laufe des Donaustromes …Vienna, 1826.

A splendid set of views, probably the finest record ever published of the course of the Danube from its source to its outlet into the Black Sea. This is the only copy in contemporary colour known in the trade and in auction records of the last decades.

The Danube played a vital role in the settlement and political evolution of central and southeastern Europe. Its banks, lined with cities, castles and fortresses, formed the boundary between great empires, and its waters served as a vital commercial highway between nations. In the 21st century the river has continued its role as an important trade artery and is now a vital part of the New Silk Road project.

Contains views of Baden (nos. 1-3 & 5), Württemberg (nos. 4 & 6-11), Bavaria (nos. 12-48), Austria (nos. 49-123, 125), Hungary (126-157), and of the Balkan states and Turkey (nos. 158-264). Includes the complete text as well as the four-part, cloth-backed map. Complete copies are of the utmost rarity, and copies coloured throughout must be considered almost unobtainable. The auction records of the last 50 years list no more than six complete copies, of which this present one was the only one in original colour (Hartung & Hartung, Munich, sale 99 [2000], lot 787).

[Union of Arab National Olympic Committees]. First Pan-Arab Games.Alexandria, 1953.

Site map for the First Pan-Arab Games, held in Alexandria in 1953. Assisting spectators in making their way around the Olympic site, the map details stadiums, sports clubs and racing grounds, along with schools, museums, and the British Consulate. The schedule on the reverse indicates buses and trams calling at the various competition venues, not failing to mention the events and sports to be witnessed there, including athletics, weightlifting, football, swimming, basketball, boxing, wrestling, and shooting, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.

The Arab Games, formerly called the Pan-Arab Games, are a regional multi-sport event held between nations from the Arab world. They are organized by the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees and intended to be held every four years, though political turmoil as well as financial difficulties have made the event an unstable one.

A few minor tears. Generally well preserved.

Azzam, Issam Abdel Rahman. The International Status of the Persian Gulf States. Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar.Alexandria, 1959.

First separate edition: legal treatise on the international status of Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, with particular respect to the British protectorate. Prepared by Issam Abdel Rahman Azzam, an expert on international and Middle Eastern law, drawing on his own master thesis of the same title.

The paper explains the constitutional system and structure of government of the three states, elaborates on matters of extraterritorial jurisdiction, and stresses the necessity of clear national boundaries, particularly since "oil discoveries and exploitations converted the unclaimed desert territories into valuable assets and the problem has taken on the form of territorial disputes between most of the states on the Persian Gulf" (p. 34).

Offprint from the "Revue Egyptienne de Droit International", no. 15. Slightly toned, otherwise very well preserved.

[Colonial Office of Great Britain]. Report by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom [...] to the League …London, 1939.

The last official report report on Mandate Palestine by the British Colonial Office, submitted annually to the League of Nations Mandates Commission, detailing the Arab Revolt of 1938. This final report was issued in the midst of the 1936-38 revolt against British colonial rule, and includes the Colonial Office's traditionally detailed records on the local economy, politics, judicial system, public health, and religion. Much additional attention is given, however, to British and League promotion of Zionist interests, and to a summary of the events and reprisals of the Revolt.

After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following the close of the First World War, Ottoman territories were distributed as spoils of war amongst the victors (in practice, largely Britain and France). Britain's colonial office ruled the Mandate of Palestine in the name of the League of Nations, to whom it was required to submit this annual report. The first full report was made in 1924 and continued annually until 1938.

[Sumerian Foundation Cone]. Cuneiform foundation cone dating to the reign of Ishme-Dagan.Southern Mesopotamia, 1953-1935 BCE.

Foundation cone of light reddish clay with a flat base on the broadside and a rounded tip on the other side. The 18-line inscription, covering around two thirds of the cone, originates from Ishme-Dagan, the fourth king of the First Dynasty of Isin. He ruled over southern Mesopotamia. This foundation cone certifies that under his reign the city walls of Isin were fortified. The translation of the inscription reads: "When Ishme-Dagan, the mighty, king of the four world regions, abolished the taxes of Nippur, the city beloved of Enlil, and excused its men from military service, he built the great ramparts of Isin, and the name of that wall is Ishme-Dagan".

Used by Sumerians and other Mesopotamian cultures beginning in the third millennium BCE, foundation cones, also referred to as dedication or foundation pegs or nails, were cone-shaped nails made of clay, inscribed with cuneiform, baked, and stuck into the mudbrick walls to serve as evidence that the temple or building was the divine property of the god to whom it was dedicated.

[Mesopotamian clay tablet]. Mesopotamian cuneiform clay tablet.Mesopotamia, early 2nd millennium BCE.

A pinkish brown clay tablet, written in cuneiform on one side. Originally pillow-shaped, but deformed by squeezing in the scribe's hand while still wet. The pronounced fingerprints left in the wet clay over 4000 years ago make these some the oldest existing fingerprints in the world.

Provenance: from a specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1992. This small collection was exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples. Thence by descent to family members. Examined by Prof. Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

[Iran]. Kishvar-i Shahanshahi-yi Iran [The Imperial country of Iran].Iran, 1340 H = 1961 CE.

Rare topographical map of Iran during the Pahlavi era, in Farsi language. Indicates major cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Kermanshah, and Mashhdad. Among the other most notable features appear the Zagros and Alborz mountains, the Khuzestan Plain, and lakes Namak and Urmia, along with roads, railroads, bridge tunnels, rivers, and marshes. The map further includes parts of Iraq, Turkey, the Caucasus, the Soviet Union, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the Emirates with Dubai and Sharjah labelled.

Several tears, some repaired with archival tape.

Ibn al-Bazyar, Muhammed ibn 'Abd Allah ibn 'Umar / Abu Ma'shar Ja'far ibn Muhammad ibn 'Umar al-Balkhi (Albumasar). Kitab al-milal wa 'l-duwal [Religions and Dynasties].Central Asia, 1716 CE - 1128 H.

A beautifully crafted manuscript of a rare and important text on historical astrology, illustrated with fifty astronomical diagrams in gold, red and black. Written in the ninth century, "Kitab al-milal wa al-duwal" ("Religions and Dynasties"), also known as "Kitab al-Qiranat" ("On Conjunctions"), explains the effects of celestial conjunctions on nations, dynasties, religions, prophets, kings, disasters, and wars. Historical astrology was popularized in the Islamic world when Abbasid caliphs used it to bolster their dynasties, and "Kitab al-milal wa al-duwal" is among the principal medieval efforts on the subject. Together with Abu Ma'shar's other works on astrology it was translated into Latin as early as the 12th century, and printed in 1489, it was "read by Roger Bacon, Pierre d'Ailly, and Pico della Mirandola, and discussed in their major works" (Yamamoto, 11). This manuscript, meticulously crafted in the first decades of the 18th century, gives proof of the centuries-long influence and readership of "Kitab al-milal wa al-duwal" well into the early modern period.

Accompanied by marginal notes, the fifty astrological diagrams in this copy depict celestial events such as conjunctions, lunar and solar eclipses, horoscopes, planetary orbits, the precession of the zodiac, the lunar phases, habitable zones of the earth, etc. While the text is quite similar to other known examples (e.g., British Library OR 7716), the numerous diagrams appear to be a unique feature of the present specimen.

The manuscript identifies the author as Muhammad (here, "Ahmed") ibn 'Abd Allah ibn 'Umar ibn al-Bazyar. Indeed, the authorship of this work has been a subject of debate almost from the beginning, being attributed either to al-Bazyar or to his teacher, Abu Ma'shar. The earliest reference to the book is in Ibn an-Nadim's "Fihrist", which mentions the work under both authors, noting that Abu Ma'shar wrote it and sent it to Ibn al-Bazyar, possible for revision or completion. Subsequently, authorship has attributed differently by the various manuscript traditions: "While the extant manuscripts of the Eastern Arabic tradition are attributed to Ibn al-Bazyar, those of the western one are assigned to Abu Ma'sar" (Yamamoto, xxi). Today, it is mostly known as Abu Ma'shar's book, since the twelfth-century Latin translation ascribed it to him.

Barrett Browning, Elizabeth, English poet (1806-1861). Autograph letter signed ("EBB").No place, 13 Dec 1843.

To Richard Hengist Horne on poetry and music: a glimpse into the vibrant Victorian literary world.

Barrett Browning draws a comparison between music and poetry, probably in answer to a question about the two arts. First, she compares Horne's best-known epic poem, "Orion", to Beethoven: "Orion is something more than playing on an instrument - it is composition in the manner of Beethoven, who was a poet if ever there was one". Apparently, Horne and Barrett Browning's mutual acquaintance Mary Russell Mitford thought music "should have been cultivated by" Horne "rather than poetry" (Mayer, 200), and thus the question which form of art is more suitable for Horne is a germane point. She further extols the greatness of poetry, claiming it should not be compared to other arts, for "Poetry contains them all". Therefore, "for a poet to prefer being a musician (even in the great composing sense) is an inconsequence of reason as well as an ingratitude of genius which I never seriously attributed to you". She continues to discuss the poet and novelist John Edmund Reade, stating that she is willing to pardon him because he is Horne's friend and she is "not a good hater", but "tolerably good tempered". She goes on to explain the reason of her displeasure with Reade's work: "My objection however to certain volumes, is not so much that they are Mr Reade’s, as that they are not his". She also offers her opinion on Monckton Milnes: "I admired his first volume very much - but his later poetry seems to want fire & imagination, & to strain too much at the didactic".

Barret Browning further mentions that she was glad to hear Horne had an extension for the book and that he had Tennyson's portrait. At the time this letter was written, Barrett Browning was helping Horne with a book he was editing, "A New Spirit of Age", published in 1844.

Leupold, Jacob. Theatrum machinarum.Leipzig, 1724-1727.

One of the first encyclopedias of technology, and the most complete and the most extensively illustrated work on mechanical engineering hitherto published, with detailed discussions of hydraulic engineering, weights and measures, the art of gold and silver assaying and analysis, mathematical instruments and scientific devices such as the barometer, thermometer, and Leupold's own, ingenious calculating machine (plate IX in the "Theatrum arithmetico-geometricum"), and more. Plate III in "Theatrum arithmetico-geometricum" even includes an apparently original and undamaged volvelle (with rag paper fibers and laid lines of the moving parts of the volvelle matching that of the original paper of the plate beneath), an incredibly delicate and uncommon survival.

Jacob Leupold (1674-1727) was director of mines to the Elector of Saxony and the author of a number of works on mechanics and engineering. Each volume of his "Theatrum machinarum" is complete in itself. The volumes are more often found separately than together, and, indeed, Ferguson stated that he had never seen a complete set.

This extensive and uniformly bound set contains the first editions of Leupold's "Theatrum machinarum hydrotechnicarum" (1724); "Theatrum machinarum hydrotechnicarum" Tomus I [-II] (1724-1725); "Theatrum machinarum generale" (1724); "Theatrum machinarium, oder, Schau-Platz der Heb-Zeuge" (1725); "Theatrum arithmetico-geometricum" (1727); "Theatrum staticum universale" pars I [-IV] (1726); and "Theatrum pontificiale" (1726).

The present set is in very fresh condition and remarkably complete: only the "Theatrum machinarum molarium" (1735) and Joachim Ernst Scheffler's "Theatri machinarum supplementum" (1739) are not present. The "Theatrum staticum universale", pars I [-IV] (1726), is the true first edition, identifiable by the imprint statement: "Zufinden" instead of "Zu finden" on the title-page.

Mercury, Freddie / May, Brian / Deacon, John / Taylor, Roger. Queen: The Complete Works. Box set with autographed sleeve, 1985, no. 004199, …No place, 1985.

One of only 600 copies of this 1985 "Queen: The Complete Works" box set, autographed by four of the greatest names in rock: the indominable Freddie Mercury (1946-1991), guitarist (and astrophysicist) Brian May (b. 1947), bass guitarist John Deacon (b. 1951), and drummer Roger Taylor (b. 1949). With 14 LPs in perfect condition, unplayed, and the sleeve for "Complete Vision" (album XIV) signed in silver, as issued.

The set covers the music of Queen from their earliest days to their 1980s heights; laid in are interesting bonus materials, including a tour itinerary, a world map of Queen concerts, and a book of Queen's complete album art and full discography, including solo projects and collaborations. Even the band's preferred riders are listed, with meal and drink requests, and the layouts of famous venues the world over. The central piece, of course, is the music, in pristine white sleeves with raised decals, each LP in protective inner sleeve. Complete and in excellent, near-perfect condition, published just after their iconic 20-minute set at the 1985 Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium, a benchmark in the history of rock.

Lid numbered 004199.

[Ram Pratap Brahman]. Chintamani Granth.Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 19th century.

A Sanskrit manuscript with eight brightly painted miniatures illustrating twenty-four numbered dohas (verses). The book of poetry is probably associated with the Ramsnehi Sect, a religious movement popularized in 18th century India by its leader and founder, Ramcharan Ji Maharaj.

The miniatures show a scene of a battle with demons, but also human life: a marriage scene, and the birth of a child and the congratulations heaped upon the parents and blessings upon the baby. Likely, they tell the story of a single man, from birth to death, possibly one of the important figures of the Ramsnehi Sect. In bold style, each painting is bright and vivid, on fields of green, saffron, azure, and pale blue, and are lovely examples of 19th century miniatures.

[Nepal]. [An illustrated Nepalese manuscript].Nepal, 19th century.

With eight leaves of hand-painted illustrations and several large diagrams: a Nepalese Sanskrit manuscript, elaborately decorated. The eight leaves of paintings show a procession of gods and goddesses in sequence, each accompanied by a dedicated shloka (a form of religious verse). Some of these deities take the form of animals: one is Varah, the boar that serves as an avatar of Vishnu, another Shesh Naag, the god snake, and a turtle and frog. Alongside these are the goddesses Jaganmata (literally "mother of the world," referring to Lakshmi, and identifiable by the two flowers she holds) and Gayatri. The distinctive elephant-headed Ganpati (Ganesha), too, appears, flanked by his consorts Riddhi and Siddhi. Each is elaborately painted and decorated, and due to the nature of the concertina book, can be viewed in sequence or unfolded to be viewed all at once. Within the text itself are elaborate geometrical diagrams, similar to astrological designs.

[Evans Carlson, photographer]. [Red Army / 8th Route Army - Photographs].China Yan'an?, ca. 1937-1940.

Generals of the Second Sino-Japanese War, from Zhu De to Nie Rongzhen: the Communist Eighth Route Army poses for the camera in this historic collection, which showcases the future leaders of the People's Republic of China as they were during the Japanese invasion of WWII.

Zhu De (1886-1976) - Commander of the Eighth Route Army and along with Mao and Zhou Enlai a member of the founding triumvirate - poses for a photograph flanked by generals Peng Dehuai (1898-1974) and Zuo Quan (1905-42). Elsewhere, one of the future Ten Marshals Nie Rongzhen (1899-1992) gazes calmly into the camera. A fellow member of the Ten Marshals, the general He Long (1896-1969), appears in four different snapshots each taken at the same moment, surveying a landscape; he would later be purged in the Cultural Revolution. General Xiao Ke (1907-2008), sometime rival of He Long, is captured in motion; he would later be attacked by Peng Dehuai, before Dehuai's own fall and exile. Zhu De's wife Kang Keqing, who would go on to become a powerful politician in her own right, grins in her NRA uniform, having fought on the front lines since the Long March. Lieutenant-General Gao Shuangcheng (1882-1945) stands between two of his men, and an ROC diplomat, Hallington K. Tong (1887-1971), is one of the few figures in civilian dress; he would later write the official biography of Chiang Kai-shek.

Among the generals are a range of other men: photographs captioned in English "Manchu officers", "Underground CCP?", and "Chinese cook 8th Route Army", as well as snapshots of irrigation work, captured Japanese documents, and a Western pilot (possibly a member of the Soviet Volunteer Group secretly sent by the USSR) posing in front of a Polikarpov I-15, which is being camouflaged with bamboo.

These photographs may have been the work of Evans Carlson (1896-1947), an American military observer who spent much of 1937 and 1938 in China. The photographs come from Carlson's own collected papers, dispersed by his descendants, and Carlson had known correspondence with Zhu De and Mao, with whom he was friendly during the war.

Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation. Pocket calendar.Egypt, 1969.

Complimentary branded calendar for the year 1969, handed out to General Petroleum employees. A table of selling prices for petrol per litre at service and supply stations in Egypt is on the reverse.

Slightly creased and spotted. Enclosed is a print company logo on a small rectangular sheet (unevenly cut, ca. 97 x 104 mm).

Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation. Petrol company drawing.Egypt, 1960s.

Unique drawing of a General Petroleum service station, featuring a car on a hydraulic lift and a coporate signpost on the street. With 2 company logos cut out from a magazine and pasted to the signpost and to the lower left corner of the drawing. A jagged element resembling an oil blot in the otherwise blank part above the service station was presumably intended for a caption but lacks any lettering, suggesting that the drawing was left unfinished.

A little creased. Backing cardboard somewhat worn with fragments of handwritten Arabic script in blue and green on the reverse.