DERHAM, W.. Philosophical Letters Between the Late Mr. Ray and Several of His Ingenious Correspondents, Natives and Foreigners. To Which are Added Those of Francis Willughby Esq.. William and John Innys, London, 1718.

Price: US$288.73 + shipping

Condition: Very Good

Description: pp [viii], 376, [10] index, [2] adverts, title ruled in red and brown all over, signature of J. Forth in blank space, another name scraped out in upper margin, cont. panelled calf, lacking spine label, worm damage in lower margin of last c. 15 leaves, unsightly but not near text, generally a pleasing copy. Size: 8vo

Seller: P.H. Whetman (P.B.F.A.), London, United Kingdom

DERHAM, William:. Philosophical Letters Between the Late Learned Mr. Ray and Several of his Ingenious Correspondents.to which are added those of Francis Willughby Esq.. London William and John Innys, 1718.

Price: US$307.98 + shipping

Description: pp. (8),376,(12). With the final avert leaf. Contemporary panelled calf, very neatly re-backed, with morocco label. Endpapers a little stained, ink inscription and armorial bookplate of S. Denison of Leeds on front paste-down. An attractive copy. Keynes 109.

Seller: Rochdale Book Company, Rochdale, United Kingdom

RAY, John. Philosophical Letters between the late Learned Mr. Ray and several of his Ingenious Correspondents, Natives and Foreigners. To which are added those of Francis Willughby Esq; the whole consisting of many curious Discoveries and Improvements in the History of Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Plants, Fossiles, Fountains, &c. Published by W. Derham. London: printed by William and John Innys. 1718.. , 1718.

Price: US$513.31 + shipping

Description: [viii], 376 pp., [10] pp. index plus advertisement leaf; woodcut head and tailpieces, occasional diagrams. Contemporary panelled calf, neatly repaired at top and bottom of spine, later label. First edition. With the armorial bookplate of W. Wynne. Keynes 109.

Seller: Rachel Lee Rare Books, Bristol, United Kingdom

RAY (John). Philosophical Letters Between the late Learned Mr. Ray And several of his Ingenious Correspondents, Natives and Foreigners. To which are added those of Francis Willughby Esq. The Whole consisting of many curious Discoveries and Improvements in the History of Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Plants, Fossiles, Fountains, &c. Published by W. Derham, Chaplain to his Royal Highness George Prince of Wales, and F.R.S.. London: Printed by William and John Innys Printers to the Royal Society., 1718.

Price: US$705.80 + shipping

Description: FIRST EDITION. 88vo, 194 x 110 mms., pp. [viii], 376 [377 - 386 Index, 387 - 388 adverets], woodcut diagrams in text, bound in contemporary unlettered panelled calf; joints cracked but holding, the upper joint internally strengthened, slightly rubbed and worn at corners, internally sound and clean. A very good copy with the autograph and inscription of Dr. William Bold, dated 1721, and that of Josiah Babington, 1724, on the upper margin of the front paste-down end-papers. There are also annotations and additions of the index in, probably, Babington's hand, as well as a note on the verso of the front free end-paper in a contemporary hand on the medical content in the work. The polymath John Ray (1627–1705) was successively a Lecturer in Greek, Mathematics, and Latin at Trinity College, Cambridge, and later took up botany and theology. He made the acquaintance of Francis Willughby, with whom he toured much of Britain, making notes on natural phenomena, animals, and natural philosophy. Charles Raven in his biography of Ray (1950; 2nd ed.) asserts that "Ray sweeps away the litter of mythology and fable. and always insists upon accuracy of observation and description and the testing of every new discovery." Keynes 109.

Seller: John Price Antiquarian Books, ABA, ILAB, LONDON, United Kingdom

Ray, John.. Philosophical Letters Between the late Learned Mr. Ray And several of his Ingenious Correspondents, Natives and Foreigners. To which are added those of Francis Willughby Esq. The Whole consisting of many curious Discoveries and Improvements in the History of Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Plants, Fossiles, Fountains, &c. Published by W. Derham, Chaplain to his Royal Highness George Prince of Wales, and F.R.S.. London: Printed by William and John Innys. 1718., 1718.

Price: US$750.00 + shipping

Description: Keynes 109. Octavo. [8], 376, [10, index], [2, ads] pp. Decorative headbands, tail-pieces, and initial letters, two figures in text. Contemporary panelled calf, professionally rebacked with old spine laid down. Binding extremities rubbed, light brown stain in gutter margin through first 35 pp. of text. Some light browning. A good copy overall. First edition of an important collection. Correspondents include Martin Lister, Hans Sloane, Henry Oldenburg, and Edward Lhwyd.

Seller: Michael R. Thompson Books, A.B.A.A., Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.

Ray, John.. Philosophical Letters Between the late Learned Mr. Ray And several of his Ingenious Correspondents, Natives and Foreigners. To which are added those of Francis Willughby Esq; The Whole consisting of many curious Discoveries and Improvements in the History of Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Plants, Fossiles, Fountains, &c. Published by W. Derham, Chaplain to his Royal Highness George Prince of Wales, and F.R.S.. London: Printed by William and John Innys 1718., 1718.

Price: US$850.00 + shipping

Description: Octavo. [vii], 376, [10, index], [2, ads] pp. Decorative headbands, tailpieces, initial letters, and two figures in text. Title-page attractively ruled in red and black. Contemporary paneled calf. Red speckled edges. Small contemporary ink ownership signature on title-page. Very clean and crisp throughout. Minor marginal worming, not touching text, to last few leaves. A very good, fresh copy of this important collection of RayÕs correspondences with leading scientists of his day. First edition of this collection that compiles RayÕs letters on natural history, philology, chemistry, and more with figures including Martin Lister, Hans Sloane, Henry Oldenburg, and Edward Lhywyd. Keynes 109.

Seller: Michael R. Thompson Books, A.B.A.A., Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.

RAY, John [1627-1705].. Philosophical Letters Between the late Learned Mr. Ray And several of his Ingenious Correspondents, Natives and Foreigners. To which are added those of Francis Willughby Esq; The Whole consisting of many curious Discoveries and Improvements in the History of Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Plants, Fossiles, Fountains, &c. Published by W.Derham. London: Printed by William and John Innys, 1718., 1718.

Price: US$1221.00 + shipping

Description: 8vo. pp. 4 p.l., 376 [10]index, [2]. engraved frontis. portrait of Ray by W.Elder after W.Faithorne. woodcut illus. & diagrams in the text. woodcut ornaments & initials. contemporary sprinkled calf (worn, front cover detached, rear joint cracked, outer margin of first few leaves bit frayed). First Edition of this collection of correspondence between Ray and Francis Willughby, Martin Lister, Sir Hans Sloan, Thomas Lawson, Leonard Plukenett, Edward Lhuyd, and other leading scientific figures, relating to their discoveries and writings in natural history. The letters were published by Ray’s friend, Dr. William Derham [1657-1735], rector of Upminster, to whom they had passed along with Ray’s unfinished work on insects. Keynes 109.

Seller: D & E LAKE LTD. (ABAC/ILAB), Toronto, ON, Canada