Olympia Book Fair 2015

A big thank you to everyone who visited us at the Antiquarian Rare Book Fair in London's Olympia Exhibition Hall. This major three-day event is one of the largest and most prestigious antiquarian book fairs in the world, showcasing rare, unique and unusual items from 180 leading UK and international dealers.



Another happy customer!


We had a great response this year and are so glad so many of you found interesting items at our stand, or in our Covent Garden shop. Each year we try to take a wide and interesting variety of stock to the fair, to cater for as many different interests as possible. If you didn't find what you were looking for, please don't hesitate to visit us, as we have much more stock on many different subjects.



Grosvenor Prints on Shelton Street, Covent Garden. You can't miss us!
Now in its 58th year, the Olympia Fair is presented and managed by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA), in collaboration with the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB). These internationally recognized badges of excellence guarantee the accuracy of description and authenticity of all items for sale, as well as the professionalism and knowledge of the exhibitors.

Grosvenor Prints at the 2015 Fair.
Our exhibitor highlights for this years fair can be viewed here: http://www.olympiabookfair.com/dealers/detail/41319

ABA Rare Book Fair catalogued highlights include:


The Impersonator.

Wilfred Huggins [signed in pencil.]
[n.d., c.1940.]
Etching. Plate: 110 x 165mm, (4¼ x 6½").
Satirical depiction of Austrian dictator Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) who stands looking in the mirror attempting to curl his fringe in a similar manner to Napoleon, a portrait of whom hangs on the wall behind. Not seen before. Privately issued as a Christmas/New Year greetings card.
[Ref: 37490]  £850.00
 

Archers View of the Path of Halley's Comet From Aug. 1835 to Feb. 1836. Delineated from the Observations of Mr. Lubbock.

London: Published June 15th, 1835 by Gilbert [-] Paternoster Row.
Coloured engraving, scarce; 125 x 145mm, with vovelle, 105mm in diameter.
The dial shows the constellations and months against a 24-hour clock, allowing the viewer to work out the position of Halley's Comet at any time. An unusual piece of ephemera, especially with the vovelle intact.
[Ref: 37534]  £450.00
 

[Set of Twelve Months. Flowers.]

[n.d., c.1770.]
Mezzotint. Sheet: 120 x 165mm, (4¾ x 6½"). Extremely rare & fine but cut set of 18th century flower prints. Trimmed within plate. Some small pin holes.
A set of twelve months depicting a vase of flowers for each month set in an oval, accompanied by names of flowers depicted. In a similar fashion to Robert Furber's famous set of twelve months, these plates might be providing information as to what seeds or flowers are available in the various months.
[Ref: 37477]  £2,500.00

[Sir Francis Drake]Franciscus Draeck Nobilissimus Eques Anglia An Aet Sue 43 [...]

[Jodocus Hondius and George Vertue, c.1733]
Engraving, platemark 400 x 315mm (15¾ x 12½"). Very large margins; 19th century impression.
Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596) the most famous of all English seafarers, large globe in left background. This print has an interesting history: the plate was started during Drake's lifetime, hence the date of 1580 on the print (the artist is widely believed to be Jodocus Hondius although Remigius Hogenburg has also been suggested). The plate was left unfinished (an example of the print in its unfinished state is in the British Museum, registration no. O,8.86) until in the 18th century the printmaker and antiquary George Vertue purchased the plate from Drake's descendants and completed it. Drake earned his fame and fortune through his skilful seamanship and outstandindingly successful piracy. His circumnavigation of the globe from 1577-81 involved a number of very profitable raids on Spanish ships and ports. His increasingly frequent and serious attacks during the 1580s were an important factor contributing to Philip II's decision to launch the Armada against English in 1588. Drake served as vice-admiral of the English fleet which defeated the Armada.
[Ref: 37214]  £1,250.00

View of St. Anthony's Nose, on the North River, Province of New York.

G.B. Fisher delin.r. J.W. Edy Aquatinta.
Pub'd Sept.r 1, 1795, by J.W. Edy, No.2, Romney Row, St. John's, Westminster.
Aquatint, printed in colours and hand finished. Sheet 470 x 665mm (18½ x 26¼"). Trimmed to plate, laid on board. Repairs on right.
A large aquatint view of 'St. Anthony's Nose', a 900-foot high promontary on the Hudson River near Peekskill. It was published in the very rare series 'Six Views in North America', aquatinted by John William Edy after Lieut. George Bulteel Fisher, one of only two views of the United States rather than Canada. Fisher (1764-1834) was aide to Prince Edward, major-general of the British Army in Canada, to whom he dedicated the series.
[Ref: 36848]  £850.00
 

 H.M. Packet Hinchinbrook at the close of an Engagement with the American Privateer Grand Turk

Drawn by W.I. Pocock / Engraved by Baily 46 Tufton Str., Westminster
Pub. Feb. 1 1819 by Messrs Colnaghi & Co. 23 Cockspur Str. for the Proprietor
Scarce aquatint, platemark 390 x 520mm (15¼ x 20½"). Small margins; good condition.
Naval battle during the War of 1812. The British mail-packet Hinchinbrook was homeward-bound from the West Indies when it was pursued by the American brig Grand Turk. American and British accounts of the action differed, but neither ship was sunk. This print was dedicated to Francis Freeling (1764-1836), postal administrator and book collector. Freeling's career as the head of the Post Office coincided with the transition from sail to steam in the Irish packet service. After William Innes Pocock (1783-1836), naval officer and artist. Pocock was not involved in the battle however: in 1811 he had been promoted lieutenant of the Eagle, on which he served in the Adriatic up to 1814 when his naval career ended.
Parker: 236.
[Ref: 37037]  £950.00

Our entire new catalogue of over 600 items can be viewed here: http://www.grosvenorprints.com/stock.php?WADbSearch1=Submit&recent_stock=1

We hope to see you all soon!

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