Bjarne Tokerud Bookseller has created a catalogue of Rare Books & Manuscripts 1560-1813. This is the place to find antiquarian books and manuscripts and nothing else but. All items are over 200 years old. It contains an interesting variety of material bound together only by age. Subjects vary widely. These are a few items you will find.
We will begin with an important theological and moral issue, Question Moral: Si el Chocolate quebranto el ayuno Eclesiatico (if chocolate breaks the religious fast). Chocolate was introduced to Europe in the 16th century and quickly became popular as a drink, medicine, and supposedly an aphrodisiac. This led to the question whether cacao could be consumed during a religious fast. In this book Antonio de Leon Pinelo, who was a jurist not a clergyman, came to his conclusion. He decided “in order not to be a mortal sin, chocolate could be consumed one time during the period of fasting, and only then provided that no other substance was added to the liquid cacao.” Sorry, no chocolate milk or chocolate sauce on ice cream. My own conclusion on this matter is that it is never wrong to consume chocolate. Item 16. Priced at $6,500.
This book sounds like it could have been an answer to the well-known Foxe's Book of Martyrs by English Protestant John Foxe. Foxe left England during the reign of Catholic Queen Mary I (Bloody Mary). He feared for his safety. His response was to write his book of martyrs, the martyrs being Protestants and historic Christian figures who had been brutally mistreated by the Catholic Church. Item 3 is Theatrum Crudelitatum Haereticorum Nostri Temporis (theater of cruelty of heretics of our time), by Richard Verstegan, published in 1592. This book told of the persecution of and violence against English Catholics after Elizabeth I succeeded Mary I. It in effect returned Foxe's favor of enumerating the crimes committed against those now on the religious out. The book was well-read in Europe where Catholic nations prevailed. Item 3. $4,000.
This sounds like a rather pedestrian book, Pedestrianism; Or, an Account of the Performances of Celebrated Pedestrians During the Last Century... Miriam-Webster defines “pedestrian” as “commonplace, unimaginative.” Great, a book about people crossing the street. Celebrated for that? Actually, this book is about more serious walking. It describes Robert Barclay Allardice, a Scottish walker sometimes called “the father of pedestrianism.” Tokerud informs us that this was more like today's speedwalking than going for a stroll. Allardice was famous for walking 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours. That sounds leisurely, one mile per hour, but if you add in time for sleeping, eating, and other necessities, you have to pick up the pace. The author was Thom Walter and he has signed this copy. Item 23. $450.
Next we have a man of many words, every one of those found in the English language. Samuel Johnson is most noted for his dictionary, but he also put some of those words to good use. Here is one where he reminds electors of what true patriotism is. The title is The Patriot. Addressed to the Electors of Great Britain, published in 1774. Johnson explains to the voters, “A patriot is he whose publick conduct is regulated by one single motive, the love of his country; who as an agent in parliament, has, for himself, neither hope nor fear, neither kindness nor resentment, but refers everything to the common interest.” Johnson goes on. “This practice is of no certain note of patriotism. To instigate the populace with rage beyond the provocation, is to suspend publick happiness, if not destroy it. He is no lover of his country, that unnecessarily disturbs its peace.” Thank you for the reminder, Dr. Johnson. Item 7. $3,500.
This long, narrow broadside poem, Tea and Brandy, provides a warning to all young men:
You young men all both far and near
Listen a while and you shall hear
Take care you're not drawn in a snare
By the girls that do love brandy
Better to go with the girls who stick to cookies and milk. The author of this circa 1795 poetic masterpiece is unknown. Item 29. $850.
Bjarne Tokerud Bookseller may be reached at 604-633-0001 or bjarnetokerud@gmail.com. Their website is www.bjarnetokerud.com.
