ur first catalogue of the new year celebrates many of those constants that are so valued in the rare book world. Provenance, exceptional rarity, stories of connection and discovery, documents that bear witness to defining moments in time, and elements of enduring beauty – whether in the physical object itself such as an
exceptionally beautiful binding or illustrated work, or in the ideas and cadence of language that have elevated certain works to the status of eternal classics. My personal favourite in the catalogue is Newton’s own copy of his Opticks , which has as remarkable a tale of its rediscovery as its provenance is illustrious. We also have a drawing with delicate watercolour highlights of the HMS Resolution drawn by the expedition artist William Hodges during Captain Cook’s second circumnavigation, from the estate of Richard Grindall, later a knight and vice- admiral, who served as a humble able seaman on the same voyage. The catalogue also contains a book highly sought after by any Churchill completist – the only obtainable contemporary edition, well-preserved in wrappers, of Mr Brodrick’s Army , which celebrates the enduring power of persuasive words, while a unique copy of the first Lambin edition of Lucretius celebrates that same spirit but in the language of poetry. Constants are comforting, but change can also be exhilarating. Our catalogue also includes several remarkably rare printings that chronicle a period of immense change. We are excited to open with the oldest work we have ever offered for sale at Peter Harrington – an exceptionally rare and well-preserved 11th-century fascicle on Korean mulberry paper, from a major Chinese-language edition of the Flower Garland Sutra , testament to the vital role of print in spreading Buddhist thought throughout East Asia. The past year was one of change for Peter Harrington in which we took a decisive step in the international arena, acquiring a joint stake, with our colleagues in New York, James Cummins, in the legendary American rare book dealership, William Reese Company. We now look forward to a year of more opportunity to share our love of fine books and manuscripts with bibliophiles and collectors from all corners of the world, at our two shops in London and at book fairs in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East. With best wishes for a bright new year from all of us at Peter Harrington. Pom Harrington
FINE BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS
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