Condition Report
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Lot 99
Sale 6330 - Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana
May 8, 2025
10:00AM CT
Live / Chicago
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Estimate
$1,500 -
2,500
Price Realized
$1,920
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
[NATURAL HISTORY]. WILLUGHBY, Francis (1635-1672) and RAY, John (1627-1705). The Ornithology of Francis Willughby of Middleton in the County of Warwick, Esq. London: John Martyn, 1678.
Folio (356 x 216 mm). 80 engraved plates, 2 letterpress tables (some very light intermittent spotting.) Contemporary paneled calf, spine in 7 compartments with 6 raised bands (rubbing, minor split to front hinge at top of spine with some flaking).
"ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TREATISES ON ORNITHOLOGY OF ALL TIME."
FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH. Willughby's Ornithology was first published as the Ornithologia 1676, and though he was given primary credit for the work it was completed largely by his friend and mentor John Ray following Willughby's death in 1672. The first edition published in English featured an additional three plates as well as sections on falconry, songbirds, and fowling. Anker 532; BM (NH) V, p.2331; Keynes Ray 39; Nissen IVB 991; Wood p.629; Wing W-2879; Zimmer 677.