This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/15/2025
HILL, Thomas (ca. 1528- 74). Natural and Artificial Conclusions. London: Printed by T.J. and art to be sold by Edward Brewster, 1684. Original plain brown calf ruled blind. Woodcuts. 56 leaves, unnumbered. A – G8. 8vo. Bookplates of J.B. Findlay and Edwin A. Dawes. Text block all but detached, minor browning, marginal worming to first and last leaves not affecting text, small corner of C2 neatly repaired in pen facsimile. Toole Stott 353. RARE.
Toole Stott writes at length about Hill and his station as a “hack writer" who produced handy works at the demand of booksellers. According to the bibliographer, Harry Price was the first to recognize Hill's work as a contribution to the literature of conjuring as it includes – mixed in among many other recipes and chemical formulas for toothpaste and the like – scientific methods for after-dinner tricks, among them ways to make a candle light of its own accord, an apple dance on a table, and how to turn water into wine. This was one of four books selected by Dr. Dawes at David Findlay's request and “bought-in" at the James B. Findlay Sotheby's Sale held on 5-6 July, 1979. The full story is recounted in The Rich Cabinet Collection Vol V pp.1948-1953.