//2016
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    Owari school tsuba with design of keys. Edo period, 17th century.

    $600.00

    Iron tsuba of round form decorated with design of keys to the storehouse of the gods in openwork (sukashi). Rounded rim. Copper sekigane.

    Unsigned. Early Edo period, 17th century.

    Size: 71.0 x 70.9 x 6.0 mm.

    Merrily Baird, Symbols..: The Key to the Storehouse of the Gods, one of the Myriad Treasures.

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  • Ōnin ten-zōgan tsuba with design of rudder, paddle, and stars. Muromachi period.

    Iron tsuba of round form with design of rudder, paddle, and stars in small openwork (ko-sukshi) outlined with brass wire, and further decorated with inlay of five concentric rows of brass dots or nail heads (ten-zōgan) and circular brass wire inlaid inside the innermost row of dots. Two lower round openings may also serve as udenuki-ana. Copper sekigane. Unsigned. Late Muromachi or Momoyama period, 16th century. Diameter: 90.4 x 89.8 x 2.8 mm.
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  • Charles Virmaitre. Paris-police. — Paris: E. Dentu, 1886. — pp.: [2 wrapper], [2 half-title], 2 title] 1-359 [1 blank], back wrapper.

    Charles Virmaître. Paris-police. — Paris: E. Dentu, 1886.

    Cover:  (black and red in red frame) PARIS POLICE | par | Ch. Virmaitre | PARIS | E. DENTU, ÉDITEUR | LIBRAIRE DE LA SOCIÉTÉ DES GENTES DE LETTRES | Palais-Royal, 15-17-19, Galerie d’Orléans | 1886 || Title page: CH. VIRMAITRE | PARIS–POLICE | {publisher’s device} | PARIS | E. DENTU, ÉDITEUR | LIBRAIRE DE LA SOCIÉTÉ DES GENTES DE LETTRES | PALAIS-ROYAL, 15-17-19, GALERIE D’ORLEANS | 1886 | Tous droits réservés. || Pagination : 3 blank leaves, original pictorial wrapper, [4], [1] 2-359 [360 blank], original back wrapper with publisher's advertisement, 3 blank leaves. Collation: 12mo; π2, 1-1912 206. Binding: owner's hardcover, quarter burgundy percaline, marbled boards, brown title label with gilt lettering, gilt double tail ruler, year, and fleuron to spine; original paper wrappers preserved.
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  • Portrait of Joseph Brodsky by Mikhail Lemkhin / c. 1980s.

    Photographic portrait of poet Joseph Brodsky, head and shoulders, turned slightly right, looking slightly to the right. Pencil-signed on the mat: 5/45 • Mikhail Lemkhin; same inscription on the back of the print, and ink stamp ©Mikhail Lemkhin. Sitter: Joseph Brodsky [Иосиф Александрович Бродский ] (Russian-American-Jewish, 1940 – 1996). Size: mat: 35.7 x 43.3 cm; window: 19.5 x 23 cm; print: 20.3 x 25.3 cm.
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  • Ko-kinko yamagane tsuba with waves and rabbit motif. Muromachi or Momoyama period.

    Ko-kinko ymagane cast tsuba of oval form with chiseled diaper pattern of double head waves on both sides and a rabbit cast and carved with its eye inlaid in yellow metal (gold or brass) on the face. Fukurin which holds together the sandwiched layers of metal (sanmai) is about 2.7 mm wide. Possibly, early Mino (ko-Mino) school. Size: 66.6 x 59.9 x 4.0 mm. Some connoisseurs believe that this kind of tsuba was in mass production at the time. Small animal believed to be a fox, however some attribute it to a long-tailed rabbit or a squirrel. I am leaning towards the rabbit. Similar example is found at Robert E. Haynes Catalog №3, April 9-11, 1982 on page 11, under № 15: “Rare design in style of Sanmai (three layers) / Wasei work. With yamagane core and heavy rim cover. The web plates are carved with double head Goto style waves and the face has a fox. The web plates were riveted at the seppadai.  See Lot 4, page 8. Ca. 1350. Ht. 6.6 cm, th. 3 mm” [underscore mine]. Quality of photo is so poor that I decided not to provide it here. The only difference betwen my tsuba and his is that his has a square hole on the right shoulder of the seppa-dai. Early Muromachi (if we follow Robert it is even Nanbokucho, 1337-1392) or Momoyama period. The Momoyama attribution is mostly based on a fact that “waves and rabbit” motif became most popular in Momoyama times. Mokkōgata tsuba of similar design in this collection - see TSU-0282.

    TSU-0282: Ko-kinko yamagane tsuba with waves and rabbit motif.

     
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  • Анна Комнина. Алексиада / Пер., комм. Я. Н. Любарского. (Византийская библиотека. Источники). — СПб.: Алетейя, 2010.

    Title: АННА КОМНИНА | АЛЕКСИАДА | Перевод, комментарий и статьи | Я. Н. Любарского | Издание третье, исправленное и дополненное | Санкт-Петербург | АЛЕТЕЙЯ | 2010 || Series: Византийская библиотека. Источники. Pagination: [i-v] vi-lxvi [1] 2-682 [4]. Binding: 21.5 x 15 cm; hardcover, crimson buckram, gilt lettering, border and serial device on black. Edition: 3rd edition. Print run: 1,000 copies. ISBN: 978-5-91419-301-7. Anna Komnene [Άννα Κομνηνή; Anna Comnena] (Byzantine, 1083 – 1150s). Любарский, Яков Николаевич (Russian, 1929 – 2003)
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  • NAPOLEON IN CARICATURE 1795-1821. By A. M. Broadley. 1911

    A. M. Broadley. Napoleon in caricature, 1795-1821. — London, New York: John Lane, 1911.

    NAPOLEON IN CARICATURE 1795-1821. By A. M. Broadley with an introductory essay on pictorial satire as a factor in napoleonic history by J. Holland Rose, Litt. D. Cantab. with nearly 250 illustrations, 24 in colour. Published by in London: John Lane, the Bodley Head, and New York: John Lane Company, 1911 in Two Volumes. Vol. I with 391 pages, 13 color plates and 99 full page illustrations. Vol. II with 441 pages, 11 color plates and 108 full page illustrations.

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  • Н. Л. [Бутми де Кацман Георгий Васильевич]. Фран-масонство и государственная измена. Издание В. П. — СПб.: тип. газеты "Россiя", 1906. — 77 стр.

    Н. Л. Фран-масонство и государственная измена. — СПб.: Издание В. П., 1906.

    Cover and title page: Н. Л. | ФРАН-МАСОНСТВО | И | ГОСУДАРСТВЕННАЯ ИЗМѢНА. | Изданiе В. П. | С.-ПЕТЕРБУРГЪ | Типографиiя газеты «Россiя». Бассейная, 3. | 1906 г. || Pagination: [1-3] 4-77 [3]; collation: [1]8 2-58; 23 x 15.5 cm, in publisher’s lettered wrappers, library and bookstore stamps. A reprint of an article published in № 4 of the magazine "Море и его Жизнь", January 1905. Allegedly a translation and a brief exposition of La franc-maçonnerie et la Révolution française by Maurice Talmeyr [Marie-Justin-Maurice Coste] (French, – 
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  • Arendie and Henk Herwig. Heroes of the kabuki stage: an introduction to kabuki with retellings of famous plays, illustrated by woodblock prints. — Amsterdam: Hotei Publishing, 2004.

    One hardcover volume, 30.2 x 25.3 cm, in red cloth blind stamped to front and spine with lettering, in pictorial dust jacket; pp.: [1-4] 5-359 [360], total 180 leaves, profusely illustrated. Subject: Japan; Theatre; Kabuki theatre; Kabuki actors; Woodblock prints. Contributors: Arendie Herwig (Dutch, fl. 2002 – 2016); Henk Herwig (Dutch, fl. 2002 – 2017).
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  • Tsuba with design of melon flowers. Muromachi or Momoyama period, 16th century.

    Iron tsuba of slightly elongated round form decorated with design of melon flowers, vines, and leaves in brass flat inlay (hira-zōgan) on both sides. Slightly raised rim (mimi) carved in a way to simulate ring-shaped covering (fukurin). Kozuka hitsu-ana and kogai hitsu-ana both plugged with soft metal (tim or lead). Copper sekigane. Heianjō or Kaga School. Muromachi or Momoyama period, 16th century. Iron, hira-zōgan brass inlay. Round (maru gata) form, diameter 79 mm. Size: 80.3 x 78.4 mm; thickness at seppa-dai: 3.4 mm; at the middle: 3.8 mm; before the rim: 2.4 mm, rim: 2.8 mm. Note on design: though this design resembles family crests with oak and mulberry leaves, I believe it's  a melon flower [see Jeanne Allen. Designer's guide to Samurai Patterns. Chronicle Books, San Francisco, 1990, page 114, №130 "Melon Flowers":

    Jeanne Allen. Designer's guide to Samurai Patterns. Chronicle Books, San Francisco, 1990. Page 114, №130.

    Note about the distribution of thickness (niku-oki): "this tsuba has toroid features, niku raises from the rim towards the centre but thins once more out when approaching the seppa-dai" [M. Sesko, "Handbook...", p. 48].
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  • Les Bienfaits de L'Empire par Alexandre Bradier. — 8e édition. — Comité politique plébiscitarire. — Paris: Belleville, [1870].

    Alexandre Bradier. Les Bienfaits de L’Empire. — Paris: Comité politique plébiscitaire, [1870].

    Front wrapper: Comité politique plébiscitaire | 17, rue de Surène, PARIS, VIIIe | {Napoleon III portrait} | NAPOLÉON III, EMPEREUR | LES BIENFAITS DE L'EMPIRE || Title page: in a double-fillet frame with years in corners: 1848, 1851, 1852, 1870 || LES | BIENFAITS DE L'EMPIRE | PAR | ALEXANDRE BRADIER | {quotation from Napoléon Ier} | {quotation from Napoléon III} | {quotation from Prince Napoléon} | HUITIÈME EDITION | IMPRIMERIES BELLEVILLE | 29 — Rue du Moulin-Vert — 29 | PARIS (XIVe) | Tous Droits réservés || Pagination: [1-3] 4-62 [2 table] 15.5 x 12 cm brochure in publisher’s original lavender wrappers, front cover discoloured to grey, with publisher’s advert to back wrapper. Printed by Imprimeries Bellville. Published by Comité politique plébiscitaire.
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  • Portrait of Joseph Brodsky by Mikhail Lemkhin / c. 1980s.

    Photographic portrait of poet Joseph Brodsky, short half-length, turned to the left, with arms crossed on his breast. Pencil-signed on the mat: 7/45 • Mikhail Lemkhin; same inscription on the back of the print, and ink stamp ©Mikhail Lemkhin. Sitter: Joseph Brodsky [Иосиф Александрович Бродский ] (Russian-American-Jewish, 1940 – 1996). Size: mat: 35.7 x 43.3 cm; window: 19.5 x 23 cm; print: 20.3 x 25.3 cm.
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  • Utagawa Kunisada. Fan print triptych. Jitsu getsu sei no uchi. Stars. Circa 1850.

    Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). The Stars, from the series ‘Moon, Sun, Stars’ / Fan print, c. 1850.

    Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Ōju Toyokuni ga [応需豊国画], in a toshidama cartouche. Double nanushi censor seals: Mera & Murata (1846-50). Publisher: Kojimaya Jūbei [小嶋屋重兵衛] (Japanese, fl. c. 1797 – 1869). A beautiful woman, possibly a kabuki actor Iwai Hanshirō VIII [岩井半四郎] (Iwai Shijaku II, Iwai Kumesaburō III [岩井粂三郎], Iwai Hisajirō II, Japanese, 1829 – 1882), tuning the samisen on a veranda under the shining stars. The complete set of series Moon, Sun, Stars [月日星] (tsuki-hi-hoshi/boshi),  three sources of light (sankō) [三光]:
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  • Five wood engravings by Gustave Doré from “Les Contes de Perrault”, 1864.

    Le Petit Chaperon rouge (Little Red Riding Hood), three wood engravings by Gustave Doré, 1864:  "En passant dans un bois elle rencontra compère le Loup"; "Le Chaperon rouge fut bien étonné de voir comment sa grand'mère était faite en son déshabillé"; "Cela n'empêche pas qu'avec ses gran dents il avait mangé une bonne grand'mère". Engraved by Adolphe Pannemaker. Le Petit Poucet (Little Thumb), one wood engraving by Gustave Doré, 1864: "Une bonne femme vint leur ouvrir". Engraved by Héliodore-Joseph Pisan. La Belle au bois dormant (Sleeping Beauty), one wood engraving by Gustave Doré, 1864: "Il marcha vers le château qu'il voyait au bout d'une grande avenue où il entra". Engraved by Héliodore-Joseph Pisan. Medium: Paper; Wood engraving. Illustrations for P.-J. Hetzel's edition of Perrault's Fairy Tales (Les Contes de Perrault) by Gustave Doré published in 1864. Size: frame: 428 x 302 mm; sheet: 280 x 231 mm; image: 194 x 244 mm.
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  • Михаил Пселл. Хронография. Краткая история. (Византийская библиотека. Источники) / Перевод. Н. Любарского, Д. А. Черноглазова, Д. Р. Абдрахмановой. — СПб.: Алетейя, 2003.

    Title: МИХАИЛ ПСЕЛЛ | ХРОНОГРАФИЯ |Перевод, статья и примечания | Я. Н. Любарского | КРАТКАЯ ИСТОРИЯ | Перевод | Д. А. Черноглазова и Д. Р. Абдрахмановой | «АЛЕТЕЙЯ» | Санкт-Петербург | 2003 || Series: Византийская библиотека. Источники. Pagination: [1-8] 9-396 [4], frontis. Binding: 21.5 x 15 cm; hardcover, crimson buckram, gilt lettering in the border, gilt serial device on black, map endpapers. Print run: 1,000 copies. ISBN: 5-89329-594-3. Михаи́л Пселл [Μιχαήλ Ψελλός; Michael Psellos] (Byzantine, 1018 – c. 1078). Любарский, Яков Николаевич (Russian, 1929 – 2003).
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  • Дело А. А. Лопухина. Стенографический отчет. 1910

    Дело А. А. Лопухина. Стенографический отчет. 1910

    Дело А. А. Лопухина в особом присутствии правительствующего сената. Стенографический отчет. С.-Петербург, типография Р. И. Арциви, 1910. С.116. Из библиотеки А. Я. Пассовера.

    Суд проходил в марте 1909 года. Бывший директор департамента полиции А. А. Лопухин обвиняется в том, что выдал провокатора Е. Ф. Азефа партии социалистов-революционеров. А. Я. Пассовер защищал Лопухина на этом суде. Суд присудил Лопухина (1 мая 1909 г.) к 5 годам каторжных работ с лишением всех прав состояния. Решением Общего собрания кассационных департаментов правительствующего сената, в виду смягчающих вину обстоятельств, каторга была заменена ссылкой на поселение.

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  • Луи-Себастьян Мерсье. Год две тысячи четыреста сороковой. Сон, которого, возможно, и не было. / Изд. подг. А. Л. Андрес, П. Р. Заборов. — Л.: Наука, 1977. — 240 стр. (Loūis-Sébastien Mercier/ L'an deux mille quatre cent quarante. Réve, s'il en fut jamais). (АН СССР, Литературные памятники).

    Луи-Себастьен Мерсье. Год две тысячи четыреста сороковой: Сон, которого, возможно, и не было. / Изд. подг. А. Л. Андрес, П. Р. Заборов; (Литературные памятники). — Л.: Наука, 1977.

    Title page: Луи-Себастьен | МЕРСЬЕ | ГОД | ДВЕ ТЫСЯЧИ | ЧЕТЫРЕСТА СОРОКОВОЙ | СОН, КОТОРОГО, ВОЗМОЖНО, И НЕ БЫЛО | {device} | ИЗДАНИЕ ПОДГОТОВИЛИ | А. Л. АНДРЕС, П. Р. ЗАБОРОВ | ИЗДАТЕЛЬСТВО «НАУКА» | ЛЕНИНГРАДСКОЕ ОТДЕЛЕНИЕ | ЛЕНИНГРАД | 1977 || Frontispiece: Louis-Sébastien | MERCIER | L'AN | DEUX MILLE | QUATRE CENT QUARANTE | RÊVE, S'IL EN FUT JAMAIS | {device} || Pagination: [1-5] 6-240, 3 leaves of plates extraneous to collation. Collation: 8vo; [1]8 2-158. Binding: Hardcover, serial design green buckram with gilt lettering on an embossed scroll to front cover, gilt lettering to spine. 23 x 18 cm. Series: АН СССР, Литературные памятники. Autor: Louis-Sébastien Mercier (French,  – Translator: Александра Львовна [Лейбовна] Андрес (Russian, 1907 – 1991).
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  • Utagawa Kunisada. Fan print of beauty with toy bow and arrow, from the series 'A Parody of Six Poets'. Circa 1840.

    Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Narihira, from the series ‘A parody of six immortal poets’ / Fan print, 1844.

    Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Kōchō(rō) Kunisada ga (香蝶国貞画) in a red double-gourd cartouche. Publisher: Surugaya Sakujirō [駿河屋作次郎] (Japanese, fl. c. 1844 – 1865); Marks 06-005 | 501a. Single nanushi censor seal: Muramatsu (1843-6). The date is attributed to c. 1844. Title: Narihira [なり平]. Ariwara no Narihira [在原 業平] (Japanese, 825 – 880) – one of the Six Immortal Poets – The Rokkasen [六歌仙]. Series: A parody of six immortal poets  [見立六花撰] (Mitate Rokkasen). Media: Untrimmed fan print (uchiwa-e), 227 x 293 mm,  depicting a beautiful woman with a bow and arrows in her left hand. Series: Mitate Rokkasen [見立六花撰] – is sometimes interpreted as "A parody of six immortal poets" or "A comparison of six select flowers". [LIB-1212.2017] Robert Schaap. Kunisada: Imaging, drama and beauty. — Leiden: Hotei Publishing, 2016; pl. 28, p. 58. This is another fan print with another immortal poet, Bun'ya no Yasuhide [文屋 康秀] (Japanese, -d. 885?), from the same series, provided in the book:

    Robert Schaap, 2016.

    With special thanks to Horst Graebner for help with the description and date attribution: "The print can be dated to 1844: censor seal is Muramatsu (Muramatsu Genroku); he acted in 7/1844 and 4/1845 (and also later) as censor but Kunisada changed his name to Kunisada early in 1844."  
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