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Thorn Books was established in 1987. Our name comes both from the Thorn of Glastonbury with its Arthurian connotations, & the Old English alphabet letter:Þ. Thorn Books was admitted to the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America in 1991. We deal in fine books in all fields, but with a special attention to material related to King Arthur and Early Britain (including England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales).

Featured Items

Small 8vo. (8),269,(2)pp. Woodcut portrait on reverse of title page, probably of Geoffrey, though it may be Merlin as there are no episcopal indicia. First separately printed edition of Geoffrey of Monmouth's Arthurian prophecies of Merlin; although written earlier, it was soon incorporated as book seven of his Historiae Regum Britanniae, and is here edited by Alain de Lille. 19th century half calf; spine in six compartments, gilt rules; black lettering label, gilt; pebble-grain cloth sides. Binding rubbed else a very good copy. Early 20th century bookplate and inscription of the author and librarian Ernest A. Baker (1869-1941), first director of the University of London School of Librarianship. Additional bookplate of James Stevens Cox, and ownership names on the preliminaries, including one dated 1838. In Latin.

Prophetia Anglicana, Merlini Ambrosii Britanni, Ex Incvbo Olim (Vt Hominvm Fama Est) Ante Annos Mille ducentos circiter in Anglia nati, Vaticinia & prædictiones: à Galfredo Monumetensi Latinè conversæ ...
Galfredus, Monumetensis.; Merlinus (Geoffrey of Monmouth; Merlin)
Francofvrti: Typis Ioachimi Bratheringij, 1603. Small 8vo. (8),269,(2)pp. Woodcut portrait on reverse of title page, probably of Geoffrey, though it may be Merlin as there.. more
Price: $5,000.00

small 8vo. (2),(3)-209,(1)pp. Engraved frontispiece and title page, showing the Harper imprint, followed by a second title page, showing the Riker imprint and date. From that title page through to the end the pages are printed with decorative borders in colors of blue, red, brown, green or yellow. Illustrated by cuts supposed to have been designed originally by Thomas Bewick. Each alternate page presents a text in form of an illustrated rebus. The facing pages contain the devotional pieces, mostly hymns. Publisher's pebble-grain purple cloth blocked with illustrations of angels on the upper and lower boards, and of a girl and the title on the spine, all in gilt. All edges gilt. Cloth sunned, lightly stained and worn at edges, ownership name, else a very good copy. Cf. Clouston, W.A. Hieroglyphic Bibles, p. 90-118.

A New Hieroglyphical Bible, with Devotional Pieces for Youth. Containinf Four Hundred Cuts, by Adams.
(Bible in English)
New York: J. C. Riker; Harper & Brothers, 1849. small 8vo. (2),(3)-209,(1)pp. Engraved frontispiece and title page, showing the Harper imprint, followed by a second title page, showing the.. more
Price: $250.00

Sixth edition. (ii),i-x,11-104;(iv);55pp. Engraved frontispiece of a Description of the Calves-Head Club. Contemporary full leather in a Cambridge-style binding tooled on the boards in panels. Spine in 6 compartments with raised bands. Black leather lettering label, gilt. Old, neat hinge repairs, light wear to corners and spine tips, some old marginal notes, else a very good copy. Also includes 'A Vindication of the Royal Martyr, King Charles I' by Samuel Butler, and 'The True Presbyterian Without Disguise' by Sir John Denham, Knight. ETSC T2721. The Calves Head Club was formed in derision of the memory of King Charles I. It fell out of favor after the Restoration. ESTC T2721

The Secret History of the Calves-Head Club, Compleat; Or, The Republican Unmask'd ....
Ward, Edward, attrib.
London: B. Bragge, 1707. Sixth edition. (ii),i-x,11-104;(iv);55pp. Engraved frontispiece of a Description of the Calves-Head Club. Contemporary full leather in a Cambridge-style binding.. more
Price: $500.00

Thin 8vo. (4 x 7'). xxiv, 160pp. Early, perhaps original, binding of marbled paper over boards and with the title pasted-on to the upperboard: a square of cloth, gilt. Large (7 x 7-1/2') hand-colored frontispiece caricature showing Napoleon cornered ('in Klemme') by five soldiers, weapons drawn. Upper hinge neatly and nearly invisibly repaired else a near fine copy. Old faint circular stamp on margin of title page. The Battle of Leipzig in 1813 was the most decisive defeat suffered by Napoleon. It is considered the largest battle in Europe, with 500,000 troops, until World War I. Scarce.

Kurzweilige und wahrhafte Beschreibung der Schlachten bey Leipzig ... vor einem Augenzeugen ....
Augenzeugen
Leipzig: Bruder & Hofman, 1814. Thin 8vo. (4 x 7'). xxiv, 160pp. Early, perhaps original, binding of marbled paper over boards and with the.. more
Price: $500.00

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