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Blofield Books, 12 Clarkson Road, Norwich (2026)

29/08/2026

The Chace (Chase) A Poem by William Somervile (Somerville) - 1735 First Edition - £499.99

William Somervile or Somerville (2 September 1675 – 17 July 1742)

Printed for G. Hawkins, and sold by T. Cooper, London, 1735. Extremely Rare First Edition and impression. 131pp. Bound in gilt lined speckled leather covered boards. Banded spine with gilt decorations to the compartments. Spine label, gilt on Morocco to the upper spine. General wear to the edges and corners. Previous owner's armorial plate to the inner cover (Lyndon Bolton). Closed edges red flecked. Inner hinges good. Pages with minor age toning, a couple of leaves with a yellow mark, as pictured, small tear to an outer margin, not affecting text. Pages with some faint offsetting, but overall clean and tight.

Classic Georgian Hunting poem that masterfully blends vivid descriptions of the English countryside with the exhilarating pursuit of the hunt, creating a work that epitomizes the pastoral tradition of the early 18th century. Through its fluid narrative style and rich imagery, Somerville explores the complexities of rural life while employing a rhythmic cadence that draws readers into the heart of the chase. Intertwined with a deep appreciation for nature, the poem reflects the social customs and sporting culture of its time, inviting contemplation of the balance between man and nature and the traditions that define rural existence.

26/07/2026

The History of the World in Five Bookes (£4999.99)

Sir Walter Raleigh (1553-1618)

Printed in London by Walter Burre, 1614. First Edition, though the colophon to final book 1617, so that section may be later issued. "The Minde of The Front" and additional engraved title (dated 1614) laid down, a little chipping to the edges. Engraved portrait of the author on the letterpress title page. Notable for the wonderful 8 double-page maps and plates, as shown. Bound in later blind-tooled calf with titles in gilt to the banded spine, minor rubbing to the extremities [ESTC S116302, variant], folio (350 x 200mm.). Prev owner's plate to the inner cover (Sir William Maxwell of Monreith). New endpapers. Block sound, and generally clean and tight, save for a tear to the upper p93 in the third book, affecting a few words on the upper 2 lines. The book includes the first appearance of the 18 line poem titled 'The Minde of the Front'. Decorated multi-line initials throughout and charts and decorations in the text. Pages age toned, as expected for a 400+ year old book. Chronological Table to the rear of the volume.

ritten while Raleigh was imprisoned in the Tower of London between 1603 and 1616 after the accession of James I. It was planned to be a multi-volume work but only the first volume was published in 1614. The work was rigidly suppressed by King James I, but it passed through several editions, including a reissue in 1617 and others throughout the 18th century. The first edition was notable for its extensive coverage of human history, from Genesis to the conquest of Rome, and it remains a classic of English Renaissance literature.

18/07/2026

The Works of Hesiod; Translated from the Greek (£4999.99)
Hesiod - Thomas Cooke (1703-1756) (Translator)

Published in London: Printed by N. Blandford, for T. Green, near Charing Cross, 1728. Extremely rare First impression of this title, with a list of 172 subscribers to the start of the volume, who ordered a total of 271 copies (not numbered). This copy bears an elaborate bookplate to the inner cover (though the initials B E R do not correspond to any of those named in the subscriber list). Includes both books of Hesiod, as well as the first English translation of the Theogony and the second translation of Works and Days. The Theogony section has an elaborate engraved plate, though the artist is not stated. pp260, 203. Bound in full leather, appears in keeping with the age of the volume, lined in gilt to the outer board edges, some scuffing to the leather and lining. Board corners worn and bumped. Banded spine, with title plate to the upper spine present, albeit a little chipped. Spine ends with minor chipping. Closed edges red flecked. Binding tight with no leaves detached. Pages with light age toning, some spotting to four pages of the theogony, as shown. the odd spot here and there, but overall in good order. Portrait of Hesiod by William Hogarth (1697-1764). Light soiling to the outer margins of p32 would suggest something was kept flat here at one point. Prior to this edition, the only English translation of Hesiod was a version of The Works and Days by George Chapman, published with the title The Georgics of Hesiod in 1610 and now exceedingly rare. This copy also includes the Theogony, which subsequently became the inspiration for a number of works by William Blake, including in the introduction of his Songs of Innocence (1789). This translation remained standard until Sir Charles Elton's edition of 1815.

Subscribers include - The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Bodleian Library, The Duke of Devonshire, Richard Savage (1697-1743) poet and friend of Samuel Johnson, The Poet Rev Samuel Wesley (1691-1739), the Novelist Samuel Richardson (1689-1761), the English politician Sir William Yonge (1693-1755), Catherine, Lady Walpole (1682-1737) the first wife of the first British prime minister Sir Robert Walpole, Richard Savage, Poet (1697–1743), Lewis Theobald (1688–1744) the English textual editor and author, who was a landmark figure both in the history of Shakespearean editing and in literary satire.

Hesiod (fl. c700 BC) was an Ancient Greek poet generally thought to have been active between 750 and 650 BC, around the same time as Homer. Several of Hesiod's works have survived in their entirety. Among these are Theogony, which tells the origins of the gods, their lineages, and the events that led to Zeus's rise to power, and Works and Days, a poem that describes the five Ages of Man, offers advice and wisdom, and includes myths such as Pandora's box. Hesiod is generally regarded by Western authors as 'the first written poet in the Western tradition to regard himself as an individual persona with an active role to play in his subject.' Ancient authors credited Hesiod and Homer with establishing Greek religious customs. Modern scholars refer to him as a major source on Greek mythology, farming techniques, early economic thought, Archaic Greek astronomy, cosmology, and ancient time-keeping.

Hesiod's works, the Theogony, a lyric poem recounting the history of the Greek gods, and Works & Days, a pastoral work describing how to farm (and the hardships associated with it) in Ancient Greece, are both presumed to have been composed around the eighth century BC, and therefore are, along with Homer, considered the earliest pieces of western literature.

13/06/2026

Gerald; A Portrait (Signed)
Dame Daphne Du Maurier (1907-1989)

Published in Garden City, N. Y. , Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc. 1935. First Edition Stated (US). Signed on the title page by the Author "With best wishes, yours sincerely, Daphne Du Maurier". Bound in the original red hardcover boards, minor marking, bumping to the corners and spine ends. Spine a little rolled, faded. Internally, the pages are clean and tight in the main, with the fore-edge untrimmed, as is common with US printings. 318pp. Good overall. Scarce with the author's inscription. The first non fiction title to be published by Du Maurier, who is best known for her novels, Jamaica Inn and Rebecca - both of which were adapted for the silver screen.

Sir Gerald du Maurier was the preeminent actor-manager of his day, knighted in 1922 for his services to the theater. Published within six months of her father's death, Daphne du Maurier's frank portrait was considered shocking by many of his admirers-but it was a huge success, winning her critical acclaim and launching her career. Here, Daphne captures the spirit and charm of the charismatic actor who played the original Captain Hook, amusingly recounting his eccentricities, his humour, as well as his darker side.

19/05/2026

The Bookaholic by Sue Macartney Snape. Signed and Limited Edition Print - Number 59 of 250 published. Not unlike my own front room! (SOLD)

29/03/2026

The Chaldean Account of Genesis. Containing the Description of the Creation, the Fall of Man, the Deluge, the Tower of Babel, the Times of the Patriarchs, and Nimrod: Babylonian Fables, and Legends of the Gods; from the Cuneiform Inscriptions - £999.99.

George Smith of the Department of Oriental Antiquities at the British Museum.

Published by Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington, London, 1876. First Edition and impression. Bound in full leather prize binding of Wimbledon School (London), with gilt emblem to the upper board dated December 1875. Boards with gilt rules to the outer edges. Banded spine with title plate to the upper spine present, chipping to the head. Boards with some scuffing, light damp marking to the lower spine edges. All edges gilt, with gilt inner dentelles and marbled endpapers. Leather prize plate to a J H Leslie to the inner cover. Block sound, with no pages detached. Blank pages with some foxing. Photo frontis and 4 plates, a little damp marking to the inner lower pages of the plate pages, with further in-text illustrations, all present. Madam Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophy movement heavily referenced this work in her 1888 book 'The Secret Doctrine' to support her theories of Occultism, Cosmogenesis and Ancient Wisdom. Very rare First Edition.

Significant work by George Smith (1840-1876), the English Assyriologist that compiles translations of cuneiform inscriptions that reveal Babylonian myths and legends, particularly those that correspond to stories found in the Book of Genesis. Smith's work was groundbreaking as it demonstrated that many biblical narratives had parallels in ancient Mesopotamian literature, suggesting a shared cultural heritage. In 1872, Smith achieved worldwide fame by his translation of the Chaldaean account of the Great Flood, which he read before the Society of Biblical Archaeology on 3 December. The audience included the sitting prime minister, William Ewart Gladstone. According to the accounts of his coworkers in the reading room, on the day of the discovery, when Smith realized what he was reading he "began to remove articles of his clothing" and run around the room shouting in delight. This work is better known today as the eleventh tablet of the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest known works of literature, discovered by Hormuzd Rassam in 1853 on an archaeological mission for the British Museum on behalf of his colleague and mentor Austen Henry Layard. The following January, Edwin Arnold, the editor of The Daily Telegraph, arranged for Smith to go to Nineveh at the expense of that newspaper and carry out excavations with a view to finding the missing fragments of the Flood story. This journey resulted not only in the discovery of some missing tablets, but also of fragments that recorded the succession and duration of the Babylonian dynasties. In November 1873 Smith again left England for Nineveh for a second expedition, this time at the expense of the museum, and continued his excavations at the tell of Kouyunjik (Nineveh). An account of his work is given in Assyrian Discoveries, published early in 1875. The rest of the year was spent in fixing together and translating the fragments relating to the creation, the results of which were published in The Chaldaean Account of Genesis (1880, co-written with Archibald Sayce).

Introduction - Some explanation is necessary in introducing my present work. Little time has elapsed since I discovered the most important of these inscriptions, and in the intervening period I have had, amidst other work, to collect the various fragments of the legends, copy, compare, and translate, altering my matter from time to time, as new fragments turned up. Even now I have gone to press with one of the fragments of the last tablet of the Izdubar series omitted. The present condition of the legends and their recent discovery alike forbid me to call this anything more than a provisional work; but there was so general a desire to see the translations that I have published them, hoping my readers will take them with the same reserve with which I have given them. I have avoided some of the most important comparisons and conclusions with respect to Genesis, as my desire was first to obtain the recognition of the evidence without prejudice. The chronological notes in the book are one of its weak points, but I may safely say that I have placed the various dates as low as I fairly could, considering the evidence, and I have aimed to do this rather than to establish any system of chronology. I believe that time will show the Babylonian traditions of Genesis to be invaluable for the light they will throw on the Pentateuch, but at present there are so many blanks in the evidence that positive conclusions on several points are impossible. I may add in conclusion that my present work is intended as a popular account, and I have introduced only so much explanation as seems necessary for the proper understanding of the subject. I have added translations of some parts of the legends which I avoided in my last work, desiring here to satisfy the wish to see them as perfect as possible; there still remain however some passages which I have omitted, but these are of small extent and obscure - October 26, 1875.

CHAPTER I-THE DISCOVERY OF THE GENESIS LEGENDS. Cosmogony of Berosus-Discovery of Cuneiform Inscriptions-Historical Texts-Babylonian origin of Assyrian literature-Mythological tablets - Discovery of Deluge texts - Izdubar, his exploits-Mutilated condition of tablets-Lecture on Deluge tablets-"Daily Telegraph" offer-Expedition to Assyria-Fragments of Creation tablets-Solar Myth-Second journey to Assyria-Tower of Babel-Clay records-Account of creation in "Telegraph" "Daily Telegraph" collection-Interest of Creation legends-The Fall-New fragments-List of texts.

CHAPTER II-BABYLONIAN AND ASSYRIAN LITERATURE, Babylonian literature-Kouyunjik library-Fragmentary condition-Arrangement of tablets-Subjects.-Dates-Babylonian source of literature-Literary period-Babylonian Chronology-Akkad-Sumir-Urukh, king of Ur-Hammurabi-Babylonian astrology-War of Gods-Izdubar Legends-Creation and fall. Syllabaries and bilingual tablets-Assyrian copies-Difficulties as to date-Mutilated condition-Babylonian library-Assyrian empire.-City of Assur-Library at Calah-Sargon of Assyria. Sennacherib-Removal of Library to Nineveh-Assurbanipal or Sardanapalus.-His additions to library-Description of contents-Later Babylonian libraries.

CHAPTER III-CHALDEAN LEGENDS TRANSMITTED THROUGH BEROSUS AND OTHER ANCIENT AUTHORS. Berosus and his copyists-Cory's translation-Alexander Poly histor-Babylonia-Oannes, his teaching-Creation-Belus. Chaldean Kings-Xisuthrus.-Deluge-The Ark-Return to Babylon-Apollodorus-Pantibiblon-Laraneha-Abydenus-Alorus, first king-Ten kings-Sisithrus-Deluge-Armenia. Tower of Babel-Cronos and Titan-Nieolaus Damascenus. Dispersion from Hestireus.-Babylonian colonies-Tower of Babel-The Sibyl-Titan and Prometheus-Damaseius-Tauthe-Moymis-Kissare and Assorus-Triad-Bel.

CHAPTER IV-BABYLONIAN MYTHOLOGY. Greek accounts-Mythology local in origin-Antiquity.-Con quests-Colonies-Three great gods-Twelve great gods-Angels-Spirits-Anu-Anatu-Vul-Ishtar-Equivalent to Venus-Hea-Oannes.-Morodacb-Bel or Jupiter-Zirat banit, Succoth Benoth-Elu-Sin the moon god-Ninip-Shamas-Nergal-Anunit-Table of gods.

CHAPTER V-BABYLONIAN LEGEND OF THE CREATION-Mutilated condition of Tablets-List of subjects-Description of chaos.-Tiamat-Generation of gods-Damascius-Comparison with Genesis.-Three great gods.-Doubtful fragments.-Fifth tablet.-Stars.-Planets.-Moon,-Sun.-Abyss or chaos-Creation of moon-Creation of animals-Man-His duties-Dragon of sea-Fall-Curse for disobedience.-Discussion-Sacred tree-Dragon or serpent-War with Tiamat-Weapons-Merodach-Destruction of Tiamat-Mutilation of documents-Parallel Biblical account-Age of story.

CHAPTER VI-OTHER BABYLONIAN ACCOUNTS OF THE CREATION. Cuneiform accounts originally traditions-Variations-Account of Berosus-Tablet from Cutha-Translation-Composite animals.-Eagle-headed men.-Seven brothers-Destruction of men.-Seven wicked spirits-War in heaven.-Variations of story-Poetical account of Creation.

CHAPTER VII-THE SIN OF THE GON ZU. God Zu-Obscurity of' legend.-Translation.-Sin of Zu. Amaro.a Xl Anger of ·the gods.-Speeches of Anu to Vul-Vul's answer. Speech of Anu to Nebo-Answer of Nebo-Sarturda-Changes to a bird-The Zu bird-Bird of prey-Sarturda Lord of Amarda.

CHAPTER· VIII-THE EXPLOITS OF LUBARA. Lubara-God of Pestilence-ltak-The Plague-Seven warrior gods-Destruction of people-Anu-Goddess of Karrak-Speech of Elu-Sin and destruction of Babylonians-Shamas Sin and destruction of Erech-Ishtar-The great god and Duran.-Outha-Internal wars-Itak goes to Syria-Power and glory of Lubara-Song of Lubara.-Blessings on his worship-God Ner-Prayer to arrest the Plague

CHAPTER IX-BABYLONIAN FABLES. Fables-Common in the East.-Description.-Power of speech in animals-Story of the eagle-Serpent-Shamas-The eagle caught-Eats the serpent-Anger of birds-Etana-Seven gods-Third tablet-Speech of eagle-Story of the fox-His cunning-Judgment of Shamas-His show of sorrow-His punishment-Speech of fox-Fable of the horse and ox-They consort together-Speech of the ox-His good fortune-Contrast with the horse-Hunting the ox-Speech of the horse-Offers to recount story-Story of Ishtar-Further tablets.

CHAPTER X-FRAGMENTS OF MISCELLANEOUS TEXTS. Atarpi-Sin of the world-Mother and daughter quarrel-Zamu-Punishment of world-Hea-Calls his sons-Orders drought-Famine-Building-Nusku-Riddle of wise man-Nature and universal presence of air-Gods-Sinuri-Divining by fracture of reed-Incantation-Dream-Tower of Babel-Obscurity of legend-Not noticed by Berosus-Fragmentary tablet-Destruction of Tower-Dispersion-Locality of Babylon-Birs Nimrod-Babil-Assyrian representations.

CHAPTER XI-THE lZDUBAR LEGENDS-Account of Deluge-Nimrod-Izdubar-Age of Legends-Babylonian cylinders-Notices of Izdubar-Surippak-Ark City-Twelve tablets.-Extent of Legends-Description-Introduction.-Meeting of Heabani and Izdubar-Destruction of tyrant Humbaba-Adventures of Ishtar-Illness and wanderings of Izdubar.-Description of Deluge and conclusion-First Tablet-Kingdom of Nimrod-Traditions-Identifications-Translation-Elamite Conquest-Dates.

CHAPTER XII-MEETING OF HEABANI AND IZDUBAR. Dream of Izdubar-Heabani-His wisdom-His solitary life-lzdubar's petition-Zaidu-Harimtu and Samhat-Tempt Heabani-Might and fame of Izdubar-Speech of Heabani. His journey to Erech-Thc midannu or tiger-Festival at Erech-Dream of lzdubar-Friendship with Heabani.

CHAPTER XIII.-DESTRUCTION OF THE TYRANT HUMBABA. Elamite dominion.-Forest region.-Humbaba.-Conversation. -Petition to Shamas.-Journey to forest.-Dwelling of Hum baba-Entrance to forest.-Meeting with Humbaba.-Death of Humbaba.-Izdubar king.

CHAPTER XIV-THE ADVENTURES OF ISHTAR. Triumph of Izdubar-Ishtar's love-Her offer of marriage. Her promises-lzdubar's answer-Tammuz-Amours of Ishtar-His refusal-Ishtar's anger-Ascends to Heaven-The bull. Slain by Jzdubar-Ishtar's curse-Izdubar's triumph-The feast-Ishtar's despair-Her descent to Hades-Description-The seven gates-The curses-Uddusunamir-Sphinx-Release of Ishtar-Lament for Tammuz.

CHAPTER XV-ILLNESS AND WANDERINGS OF IZDUBAR. Heabani and the trees.-Illness of lzdubar-Death of Heabani-Journey of lzdubar-His dream-Scorpion men-The Desert of Mas-The paradise-Siduri and Sabitu-Urhamsi. Water of death-Ragmu-The conversation-Hasisadra.

CHAPTER XVI-THE STORY OF THE FLOOD AND CONCLUSION. Eleventh tablet-The gods-Sin of the world-Command to build the ark-lts contents-The building-The Flood-Destruction of people-Fear of the gods-End of Deluge-Kizir-Resting of Ark-The birds-The descent from the ark-The sacrifice-Speeches of gods-Translation of Hasisadra.-Oure of lzdubar-His return-Lament over Heabani-Resurrection of Heabani-Burial of warrior-Comparison with Genesis-Syrian nation-Connection of legends-Points of contact-Duration of deluge-Mount of descent-Ten generations-Early cities. Age of Izdubar.

CHAPTER XVII.-Conclusion. Notices of Genesis-Correspondence of names-Abram-Ur of Chaldees-Ishmael-Sargon-His birth-Concealed in ark-Age of Nimrod-Doubtful theories-Creation-Garden of Eden-Oannes-Berosus-Izdubar legends-Urukh of Ur. Babylonian seals-Egyptian names-Assyrian sculptures.

17/03/2026

1857 - Caravan Journeys and Wanderings in Persia, Afghanistan, Turkistan, and Beloochistan (Baluchistan); With Historical Notices of the Countries Lying Between Russia and India (£399.99)
Ferrier, J. P. (Joseph Pierre)

Published by John Murray, London, 1857. Second edition. Bound in the publisher's bling stamped red board, titled in gilt to the spine. Light soiling to the boards, a little wear to the spine ends and board corners. 534pp + publisher's catalogue from November 1856 to the rear. Inner hinges good. Brick red endpapers. Block sound, with light age toning to the pages, a little scattered foxing here and there, slight bumping to the upper corner of the block, a couple of latter leaves unopened to the upper edge, but overall in Good condition. Includes an extensive contents section. Translated from the original unpublished manuscript by Capt. William Jesse and edited by H D Seymour. Includes a large folding map to the rear of the book. A fascinating travelogue indeed. Good+ to Vg- overall. Heavy at over a kilo exc pkg.

28/06/2025

LEWIS CARROLL - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1867) RARE Early Edition - 10th Thousand - £999.99 (SOLD)

Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) / John Tenniel (Illustrated)

Published by Macmillan and Co., London, 1867. Tenth thousand; published just 2 years after the first of 1865. Recently re-spined in modern cloth, titled in gilt, though retaining the original boards. Covers with line border in gilt, with gilt roundel illustration of Alice to the front and the Cheshire cat to the rear. Board corners bumped and worn, general marking and soiling to the covers, but binding good otherwise. Plain dark blue endpapers, a little chipping to the edges. Half title with a previous owner's name and date (Louisa Augusta Boden - 1868). Frontis of the King and Queen of Hearts, with tissue guard still in place, albeit spotted. Block sound, with age toning, as expected, and the odd foxing spot or mark here and there, but generally in good order. Wonderfully illustrated by John Tenniel. Good+ overall. Early edition of Carroll's classic Children's fantasy novel.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (also known as Alice in Wonderland) is an 1865 English children's novel by Lewis Carroll, a mathematics don at the University of Oxford. It details the story of a girl named Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world of anthropomorphic creatures. It is seen as an example of the literary nonsense genre. The artist John Tenniel provided 42 wood-engraved illustrations for the book. It received positive reviews upon release and is now one of the best-known works of Victorian literature; its narrative, structure, characters and imagery have had a widespread influence on popular culture and literature, especially in the fantasy genre. It is credited as helping end an era of didacticism in children's literature, inaugurating an era in which writing for children aimed to "delight or entertain". The tale plays with logic, giving the story lasting popularity with adults as well as with children. The titular character Alice shares her name with Alice Liddell, a girl Carroll knew—scholars disagree about the extent to which the character was based upon her. The book has never been out of print and has been translated into 174 languages. Its legacy includes adaptations to screen, radio, visual art, ballet, opera, and musical theatre, as well as theme parks, board games and video games. Carroll published a sequel in 1871 entitled Through the Looking-Glass and a shortened version for young children, The Nursery "Alice", in 1890.

06/06/2025

The Joy of Youth shortened a day into a blink; the Loneliness of old age are stretched a moment into an endless nightmare - Yiyun li

Blofield Books

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