PUZZLES . . .
PUZZLES . . .
"Why is a . . . ?"
(Conundrums). Manuscript on paper, in English,
[cover-title] "Conundrums." [England, ca. 1804–14]. Small 4to (20 cm, 7.875"),
23 pp. filled; two other leaves, written-on on three sides, laid in. 
Includes such classics and timeless chestnuts
as "When is a door not a door?" and "Why is a mad man like two men?" Other
less common puzzlers are: "Why is a man in a crimson coat the fittest person
for the president of a library society?", "What is it that walks on his head,
hangs by his tail, and travels 60 miles a day?", and "What word is [it] that
in the English language [is] of one syllable, which by taking away the two
first letters becomes a word of two syllables?"
SPY CRAFT 
Friderici, Johannes Balthasar. Cryptographia, oder, Geheime schrifft-münd-und würckliche Correspondentz , welche lehrmässig vorstellet eine hoch-schätzbare Kunst verborgene Schrifften zu machen und auffzulösen. Hamburg Gedruckt bey Georg Rebenlein, in Verlegung des Autoris, 1685. 4to (20 cm; 8"). π4 (-π4) A–Z4 Aa–Mm4; [3] ff., 280 pp., 5 (of 6) plates; without the engraved title or the fold. plt. 
Click any image where the hand appears on
A fascinating volume of intelligence arcana. 
Why is a Sheep like a Gambler?Rowley, Hugh. Puniana: Or, thoughts wise and other-wise. A new collection of the best — now newly told.... London: John Camden Hotten, 1867. 8vo (20.7 cm, 8.2"). xii, 258, [2 (adv.)] pp.; illus.
Single-click any image where the hand appears onProvenance: Front pastedown with bookplate of Harry Walter Cholmley.
A sheep and a gambler are . . . both fleeced at last!
• NSTC 2R19616. Contemporary calf, covers framed in a blind roll within double gilt fillets and spine gilt extra; binding rubbed, with the leather cracking over the spine and joints starting. All edges marbled. Light foxing to first and last few leaves.
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