Books

First library edition, October 1938. Published in London by Hurst and Blackett. With author's photograph and publication autograph signature, and a further publication signature to the Author's Forward.

Very good condition for age, usual yellowing to pages.

Hurst and Blackett.
In October 1933, just nine months after Hitler rose to power in Germany, started to publish, in English, Hitler's infamous biographical book, Mein Kampf. Probably the most famous biography in publishing history.

Hitler began dictation of the book while imprisoned for what he considered to be "political crimes" following his failed Putsch in Munich in November 1923. Although Hitler received many visitors initially, he soon devoted himself entirely to the book. As he continued, Hitler realised that it would have to be a two-volume work, with the first volume scheduled for release in early 1925. The governor of Landsberg noted at the time that "he hopes the book will run into many editions, thus enabling him to fulfil his financial obligations and to defray the expenses incurred at the time of his trial."

Hitler originally published his book in German in 1925. There was a little if any interest in Mein Kampf outside the country as he was an unknown Bavarian fringe candidate. When he unexpectedly vaulted to power in January 1933, European publishers rushed to obtain the contract to translate his work and publish it in other countries. Because the German Mein Kampf was so telling about the coming war and atrocities he would inflict on the French, the Soviet, and most of all the Jewish people, Adolf Hitler was hesitant to allow any translations or publishing rights in different countries. As most of you know, Hitler fought bravely during the entire four years of the Great War and he was wounded twice. During that time, as he later recounts in Mein Kampf, Hitler became convinced the French rather than the British were his true western enemies. In fact during the first three years of his chancellorship, Hitler tried repeatedly to secure a military alliance with England so they could help him destroy France, or at least stand by while Hitler obtained his sweet revenge for Germany's humiliation at the Versailles peace table. So the newly-appointed German leader authorised Mein Kampf to be translated into English and published by London's Hurst and Blackett in the spring of 1933. However, Hitler never allowed a complete translation. After an Englishman named Edgar Dugdale completed his work on the actual translation, the Nazis insisted on revising and censoring the 700 page book. Hitler employed Nazi party official Dr. Hans Thost to specifically go through and remove offending passages in Mein Kampf and to also surgically alter his original German words to make a direct appeal for his British alliance. Dr. Thost was the sole Nazi party official living in London at this time. He spent the summer of 1933 altering and removing over 400 pages from this new English translation and when he was finished, he finally allowed Hurst and Blackett to take this edition to print that September. Even though Hitler was now the leader of Germany, the British publishing house Hurst and Blackett was hesitant about printing too many copies of this book initially. 1933 was the height of the Great Depression, and books were only for the few. It wasn't until 1937 that Hurst and Blackett started cranking out a cheaper, smaller My Struggle because Europeans started to become nervous as Hitler was clearly rearming and reindustrializing Germany. Most copies were purchased by British intellectuals or those keenly interested in foreign policy. Most of those people lived in London, and quite a few of the copies of this book were destroyed in the Blitz. Indeed the Hurst and Blackett Publishing house was completely destroyed by German bombs in 1940.

The book was edited by the former Hieronymite friar, catholic priest and journalist, Bernhard Stempfle, who later died during the Night of the Long Knives.

The book was so successful around the world Hitler used the proceeds to fund his entire election campaign, tours and lectures. And due to its and the authors success he was named Time Magazine's "Man of the Year" in 1938. A later Time Magazine "Man of the Year" {not once, but twice} was 'Uncle' Joe Stalin, also Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini {in 1979}, and Vladimir Putin {2007}

The first 1933 Hurst and Blackett English edition can now achieve values up to £6,500

After Hitler's death, copyright of Mein Kampf, along with other Nazi assets, was given to the state government of Bavaria, which refused to allow any copying or printing of the book in Germany. In 2016, following the expiry of the copyright held by the Bavarian government, Mein Kampf was republished in Germany for the first time since 1945, which prompted public debate and divided reactions from Jewish groups. A team of scholars from the Institute of Contemporary History in Munich published a two-volume, almost 2,000-page edition annotated with about 3,500 notes. This was followed in 2021 by a nearly 900-page French edition based on the German annotated version, with about twice as much commentary as text.  read more

Code: 25039

360.00 GBP

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Briefe Napoleons des Ersten : in drei Banden ; Auswahl aus der gesamten Korrespondenz des Kaisers. Napoleon the First. Selection from all the correspondence of the emperor. Published in 1910; Napoleon's correspondence from 1809 until his death in 1821. Published in 3 volumes this is volume 3. Taken in 1946 from the family library of Field Marshal Keitel, and one of two books from the library we have acquired, the first one was sold. Bearing the Ex Libris Book Label of his family and eldest son, who he lost in the war, Karl-Heinz Keitel SS-Sturmbannfuhrer of 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer, awarded the German Cross in Gold, Iron Cross 1st Class for heroism, Iron Cross IInd class, Close Combat Clasp & Wound Badge in black. Wilhelm Bodewin Johann Gustav Keitel (22 September 1882 - 16 October 1946) was the most famous German field marshal of WW2 who served as chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Supreme Command of the Armed Forces) for most of World War II, making him the Chief of Defence for Germany and Hitler's number two after Reichmarshall Goring. At the Allied court at Nuremberg, he was tried, sentenced to death, and hanged as a war criminal. He was the third highest-ranking German officer to be tried at Nuremberg. Karl-Heinz Keitel was born on 2 January 1914, in Wolfenbuttel, the eldest son of Wilhelm Keitel who would rise to become Chief of the OKW, the German Military High Command, during World War II. Karl-Heinz joined the Heer in 1934 and served in various cavalry units following the outbreak of war in 1939. In June 1943 he was assigned to the Kavallerie-Schule in Potsdam-Krampnitz, and served as a battalion commander, and later the regimental commander of the Kavallerie-Regiment Nord. On 5 August 1944, he transferred into the Waffen-SS and served with the 22. SS-Freiwilligen-Kavallerie-Division "Maria Theresia". On 20 October of that year, he was promoted to command SS-Freiwilligen-Kavallerie-Regiment 17 / 22.SS-Freiwilligen-Kavallerie-Division "Maria Theresia" in the area of Hungary. In November 1944, combined with the Florian Geyer division, the "Maria Theresia" was assigned to the garrison of Budapest. On 12 December he was wounded in action while defending against Red Army probing attacks into Budapest for which he was awarded the Wound Badge in Black.
In March he transferred to the 37. SS-Freiwilligen-Kavallerie-Division "Lutzow" as its commander, and led the 2000 strong remnants of the division in heavy fighting around Wiener-Neustadt as part of 6. SS-Panzer Armee. He was reportedly promoted Obersturmbannfuhrer (Lieutenant Colonel) in the closing months of the war. The book's label also bears the label of his wife Dorothee, the daughter of the Werner Eduard Fritz von Blomberg (2 September 1878 - 14 March 1946) was a German Generalfeldmarschall, Minister of War, and Commander-in-Chief of the German Armed Forces until January 1938. The marriage of Karl-Heinz and Dorothee was one of the reasons her father, Generalfeldmarschall von Blomberg, was forced to resign by Hitler in 1938 It was in order to avoid a damaging scandal caused by the Generalfeldmarschall's new wife's criminal history as a prostitute that was discovered by Himmler. It was an extraordinary discovery as both Hitler and Goring attended her wedding to Keitel. Another volume that we know of, also originally from Field Marshal Keitel's library, an 1827 first edition of Alexander Pushkin's 'The Robber Brothers' printed in Russian, was apparently given to Keitel in 1941/2, after it's liberation from another but unknown Russian Ex Libris collection during Operation Barbarossa. That volume was given, in its turn in 1945, to Marshal Zhukov, commander of the Army of the USSR, and bears his Red Star stamp, and also Keitel's military stamp. That volume may weel have bee liberated from the Keitel family home library as was this book alongside the other we are offering for sale. Napoleon Bonaparte was General of the French Revolution; the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic from 11 November 1799 to 18 May 1804; then Emperor of the French (Empereur des Francais) and King of Italy under the name Napoleon I from 18 May 1804 to 6 April 1814; and briefly restored as Emperor from March 20 to June 22 of 1815. This unique piece is exactly the kind of item we are seeking and finding every day, and thus duly offer for sale in our shop and website. Unique, original pieces for the discerning collector, and items that simply cannot be found any where else. We are now the only shop in Britain that offers such pieces, every day, and have done and hopefully will continue to do so  read more

Code: 19643

875.00 GBP

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Charles O'Malley, the Irish dragoon. / Edited by Harry Lorrequer pseud., with illustrations by Phiz
Lorrequer, Harry (pseud.- Lever, Charles 1806-1872). Phiz (Browne, Hablot Knight)

Published by Dublin: William Curry, 1841

First Edition. Very good copies in gilt-blocked half leather. Slight suggestion of rubbing and dulling to panel edges. Scattered foxing; text remains clear. Remains quite well-preserved overall. Physical description: 2 Volumes. Subjects: Peninsular War, 1807-1814. Peninsular War, 1807-1814; Fiction. English fiction Irish authors.
Edward Tertius Kearsley (abt.1812-1870)  read more

Code: 26107

265.00 GBP

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1st editions printed in by A.J.Valpy Red Lion Court Fleet St. in 1833. 2 vols., 8vo., First Edition, with 17 engraved plates of medals, view of Hugomont and plan of Waterloo.The first dedicated history of the regiment.

It was one of the books selected by the Royal Librarian Richard Rivington Holmes in 1893 as a fine example of bookbinding in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle.

Acquired with a very, very rare Scots Fusilier Guards Officer's Bearskin Cap 1854. Used at Sebastopol and Alma, by his cousin, Major Sir Charles John James Hamilton, the 3rd Baronet Hamilton, Hero of Alma.
This pair of books were presented to his heir, the later 4th & 2nd Baronet Hamilton, Edward A. Hamilton, {later} Captain of the Coldstream Guards, in 1858.

Both Sir Charles John James Hamilton, 3rd Baronet Hamilton, and 4th & 2nd Baronet Hamilton, Edward A. Hamilton, are interred in the same family crypt at Brompton cemetery.

A person can be both the 4th baronet of one line and the 2nd baronet of another by inheriting two separate, distinct baronetcy titles from different branches of their family.
This scenario typically arises through a combination of inheritance, a lack of direct male heirs in one branch, and the merger of family lines.


Founded in 1650, the Coldstream Guards is the oldest Guards regiment in the British Army and serves an important role in protecting the monarch. This history of the regiment was written by Colonel Daniel MacKinnon, who had distinguished himself at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. During the battle, MacKinnon had three horses shot from under him and despite being severely wounded, led the manoeuvres of the Coldstream and Grenadier guards that led to the vital occupation of Hougoumont, defending it against countless French onslaughts. In 1826, he became the commander of the Coldstream Guards and began writing this history.

MacKinnon dedicated his history to William IV and the books in the Royal Collection is were likely the volumes presented to the king on its publication in 1833. It was one of the books selected by the Royal Librarian Richard Rivington Holmes in 1893 as a fine example of bookbinding in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle.

The Coldstream Guards - now part of the Household Division - has the unique distinction of being the oldest Regiment of the British Army. It traces its origins to 1650 when it was founded at Coldstream on the English-Scottish border by George Monck, the Cromwellian General who ten years later was instrumental in restoring the monarchy of Charles II. This two volume history of the early years of the Regiment was written by Col. Daniel Mackinnon in 1833. Mackinnon (1791-1836) was a particularly gallant officer, who had three horses shot under him at Waterloo. The first volume narrates the fascinating story of Moncks' foundation of the Regiment, and its first battle honours in 1650 at Cromwell's great victory over the Scots at Dunbar. It also narrates the Regiment's proud part in the Anglo-Dutch wars of the 17th century and the 18th Century wars against Spain and France - including Marlborough's victory at Oudenarde; and the battle of Dettingen against France - the last battle at which a British monarch (George II) fought. Volume II, which takes the story down to the battle of Waterloo in which the author himself fought, is dominated by the American War of Independence; and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. These are books to treasure for anyone interested in his fine old regiment and in the early history of the British Army.

They were at some time in the possession of the Wauchope clan in Scotland, with ex libris label.

In the gallery we show the crest of Colonel Hamilton of the Scots Guards, his cousin and the 3nd Baronet Hamilton. A crest that would have been passed down to Capt. Edward A. Hamilton 4th Baronet  read more

Code: 26077

495.00 GBP

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This volume was sent to the Hawkins family as a gift from Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who used to engage in conversations with Mark and David Hawkins’ grandfather, whom she met years before at an antiques fair and exhibition in London.

They often discussed together their mutual love of the works of P.G.Wodehouse, Her Majesty’s favourite author.

This volume was sent by her majesty as a gift to the family after it was published in 1973, when their grandfather died.

From the family archive collection. Not for sale.  read more

Code: 26089

A full set of these fabulously bound novels that were published and printed over 25 years First editions of volumes V-VIII, together with the second edition of volume IV and third editions of volumes I-III (published the same year as the first).

One of the great Winston Churchill's, favourite writers

During the past 60 years they have passed through three famed collections, of; Richard Hugh Cholmondly, Llewelyn Griffiths and Leonard Shuter

Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1863-87

Kinglake was in the Crimea in 1854, "witnessed the battle of the Alma from close hand, dined that night with Lord Raglan... helped the wounded, sketched and recorded the scenes in his diary. Kinglake rode with the allies towards Sevastopol and watched them take up siege positions on upland to the south. From there, he saw the charges of the Heavy and Light Brigades on 25 October near Balaklava, though soon afterwards he was invalided back to England" (ODNB). Entrusted with the task of writing a history of the campaign by Lord Raglan's widow who had sent him all the papers in her possession, he "undertook the task, and executed it with extraordinary care... he consulted French, Russian, and Turkish sources, and corresponded and interviewed exhaustively. He returned to the Crimea, hosted by the Russian engineer Todleben, who had so ably defended Sevastopol" (ibid.). The result was probably excessive, and most certainly somewhat prejudiced, out of loyalty to Raglan and "moral indignation" against Napoleon III. However, the "the literary ability in any case is remarkable; the spirit of the writing is never quenched by the masses of diplomatic and military information; the occasional portraits of remarkable men are admirably incisive; the style is invariably polished to the last degree, and the narrative as lucid as it is animated" (ibid.).

Kinglake was one of Churchill's favourite writers. The novelist and historian Geoffrey Bocca tells how, when he asked the Great Man who he should read to improve his style, he was given the one word reply, "Kinglake". He followed his advice and "read Eothen with joy and with love possessed, and put it down saying, 'Thanks, Winnie.' I knew one of Winston Churchill's unpublished secrets." Meeting Churchill again a couple of years later, Bocca reminded him of their earlier conversation, "told him how much I felt enriched by Eothen and asked him to recommend other reading." The succinct reply: "More Kinglake".  read more

Code: 25985

1495.00 GBP

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Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Good.
By our local, world renowned sensei, and martial art expert and exponant, Roald Knutsen, who was the sensei of our 30 year late colleague, senpei, Christopher Fox, who was both a nihonto and Iaido expert of 40 years, and a remarkable exponent of all his martial arts in his own right.

This book charts the evolution of Japanese pole-arms from the bronze spears of the Yayoi period right up to to the Meiji Restoration; deals with the history and development of each category of spear; besides the blades, the shafts & mounts are described in detail; outlines the schools of spear and sword fencing from the early 14th century; a very necessary addition to the library of anyone interested in arms and armour; fully illustrated. Japanese spear-weapons mainly comprise the naginata (similar to the European glaive) and types of yari (pike / halberd). Hoko are a hook weapon.

This is the first book in English to provide a fully illustrated guide to the use of polearms - ranging from the earliest halberds and spears reaching Japan from the Asian mainland to the sophisticated naginata, nagamaki and various forms of yari used by the Japanese samurai through the medieval period. While the sword remains the best known of Japanese weapons, it was the halberd (naginata) and then the yari that dominated the battlefields up to the early seventeenth century, and thereafter the yari became an important status symbol to many warrior families. Additionally, the authors focus on the actual method of use of these weapons, hitherto an almost unknown aspect in the West.  read more

Code: 25110

240.00 GBP

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From the Royal Artillery Regimental Library, then transferred to the Royal Artillery Mess in Shoeburyness

An absolute gem of reference work volume comparing two branches of the marines of both nations. Printed by Librairie De L. Hachette Et. Cie, in Paris, in French.

Former Regimental Library and Mess books of military reference and interest are very collectable indeed.

Tri-colour leather with gilt tooled lettering to the spine and gilt stamped compartments, marble and leather sides . A few scuffs to the leather spine, cloth boards lightly rubbed. Marbled endpapers, with a regimental bookplate of the Royal Artillery to the inside cover

7inches x 5 inches  read more

Code: 24426

125.00 GBP

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