Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - October - 2006 Issue
English Miscellany from Forest Books
As many as 100,000 may have died in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.
Europe is not thought of as an epicenter of seismic activity, but in 1755 Lisbon was struck by one of the worst earthquakes imaginable. On the morning of November 1 the city was struck by a quake which may have been as strong as a 9 on the Richter scale. Death and destruction from collapsed buildings was rampant, but that was just the beginning. In the harbor, the water disappeared, forerunner of the huge tsunami on the way. Meanwhile, buildings on land not destroyed by the quake became engulfed in fire. The precise number who died is unknown, but estimates are 60,000 to 100,000, while 85% of the buildings were destroyed. Among the other victims were Portugal's colonial ambitions, severely disrupted by needs at home. Item 139 is An Account of the Dreadful Earthquake and Fire, Which Destroyed the City of Lisbon, The Metropolis of Portugal. In a Letter from a Merchant Resident there, to his Friend in England. Published in 1755. £195 (US $371).
There are few fields as heavily collected as railroads. Item 182 is a very early railroad auction catalogue, from 1851. It is a Catalogue of Railway Plant, Steam Engine, Pumping Engine... The sale lasted five days, disposing of 625 lots. £110 (US $209).
Edward Ward left us with this work which needs little explanation beyond its title: Female Policy Detected: or, The Arts of a Designing Woman Laid Open. Treating I. Of their Allurements, Inconstancy, Love, Revenge, Pride and Ingratitude. II. A Pleasant and Profitable Discourse in Defence of Married Men, against Peevish, Fretful, Scolding Wives, with Several Notable Examples of the Mischiefs and Miseries which have attended their Lust and Pride. Originally published in 1695, this edition is from 1755, evidencing its evident long-running popularity. Item 235. £225 (US $428).
The web address for Forest Books is www.forestbooks.co.uk, phone +44 1949-842360.
