Books and Manuscripts

B(lagrave)., J(oseph).
The Epitome of the Art of Husbandry…
London: Printed for Benjamin Billingsley, 1675. Early edition. Two parts in one volume. 8vo. (viii), 159, 158-246; 136, (16) pp. (some pages misnumbered); publisher's ad on verso of the terminal leaf. Illustrated with two additional engraved title-pages. Full contemporary calf, rebacked, red morocco spine label, stamped in gilt; all edges trimmed; early manuscript receipt for horse feed to prevent costiveness on verso of the first engraved title and other manuscript receipts for cures to various horse ailments on the rear free endpaper; small worming in upper fore-edge of first 12 leaves; wear to fore-edge of some leaves at rear. Wing B3117 and B3120; ESTC R4466; Goldsmiths 2580. Not in Fussell or Henrey

Scarce English 17th century work on husbandry. This work is ascribed to Blagrave, a noted 17th century astrologist and authority on the practice of physic, as it was edited by his nephew Obadiah Blagrave (according to DNB), a London bookseller who, along with Benjamin Billingsley, first published the first part of the work in 1669. The second part, titled New Additions to the Art of Husbandry, first appeared the following year. The present combined edition is entirely reset from the edition of 1670 and includes an additional section in the second part on singing birds not found in any previous edition (pages 51-136).