Willughby, Francis; John Ray.. The ornithology of Francis Willughby of Middleton in the county of Warwick Esq, fellow of the Royal Society : in three books : wherein all the birds hitherto known, being reduced into a method sutable to their natures, are accurately described : the descriptions illustrated by most elegant figures, nearly resembling the live birds, engraven in LXXVII copper plates : translated into English, and enlarged with many additions throughout the whole work : to which are added, Three considerable discourses, I. of the art of fowling, with a description of several nets in two large copper plates, II. of the ordering of singing birds, III. of falconry .. A.C. for John Martyn printer to the Royal Society, London, 1678.

Price: US$2800.00 + shipping

Condition: Very Good

Description: Folio (34 cm); [12], 441, [7] pages, 80 leaves of plates (two of them unnumbered). Title in red and black. Books 2 and 3 each preceded by inserted leaf bearing table for respective book. Mitered triple-panel leather over pasteboard, with gouges used to create a scalloped line inside the center panel and rhomboid floral tool at corners. The outer and inner panels are etched with sprinkles, while the middle panels are decorated with a variation of "cat's paw" etching. Sewn on six raised cords. Rather worn on lower board with areas of abrasion, upper board intact. Corners rebuilt. Some old repairs to leather. Joints holding strong and now reinforced with Japanese tissue. Text and plates bright and clean. References: Wing (2nd ed.); W2880; Keynes, G. Ray, 39; Osler; 971; Casey Wood 629 ("One of the most important treatises on ornithology of all time, being the first systematic classification of the birds of the world.") Binding reference: Miller, Meeting by Accident, p.37. Four years after Willughby's death in 1672, John Ray completed the text from Willughby's notes with the aid of funds provided by the widow. Ray produced this English version of two years later, with three additional plates. A fundamental treatise.

Seller: Rodger Friedman Rare Book Studio, ABAA, Tuxedo, NY, U.S.A.

WILLUGHBY, Francis (1635-1672); John Ray (1627-1705). [Natural History] The ornithology of Francis Willughby of Middleton in the county of Warwick Esq; fellow of the Royal Society. In three books. Wherein all the birds hitherto known, being reduced into a method sutable to their natures, are accurately described. The descriptions illustrated by most elegant figures, nearly resembling the live birds, engraven in LXXVII copper plates. Translated into English, and enlarged with many additions throughout the whole work. To which are added, three considerable discourses, I. Of the art of fowling: with a description of several nets in two large copper plates. II. Of the ordering of singing birds. III. Of falconry. By John Ray, fellow of the Royal Society. printed by A[ndrew]. C[larke]. for John Martyn, printer to the Royal Society, at the Bell in St. Pauls Church-Yard, London, 1678.

Price: US$2899.00 + shipping

Description: First Edition in English of "one of the most important treatises on ornithology of all time, being the first systematic classification of the birds of the world." (Wood). Translated, edited and slightly expanded by Ray from Willughby's Latin original. Crown folio (364 x 231mm): [12],53,[3],55-271,[3],273-441,[7]pp, with two full-page letterpress tables and 80 leaves of plates, most unsigned but some credited to Thomas Browne and three by F. H. van Hove, two by W. Faithorne, and one by W. Sherwin. The two engraved plates showing techniques and equipment for snaring birds, often absent, are bound in at p. 28 (as prescribed); the remaining 78 numbered plates (depicting more than 200 species) appear at the end. An excellent example, beautifully bound to style in recent quarter calf over marbled paper-covered boards, spine in seven compartments divided by gilt-ruled raised bands, end papers renewed, title page in red and black. Binding pristine, title page lightly soiled, text block generally clean throughout and virtually free of foxing, two plates with short marginal tears far from images, old repair to one plate corner. Wing W2880. Nissen IVB 991. BM(NH) V, p.2331. Wood (McGill), p.629. Zimmer (Ayer Ornithological Library), pp. 676-78. Anker 532 ("marks an epoch in the history of ornithology"). Lowndes 2939. Bibliotheca Bibliographici 39. Mullens, pp. 7-8. In the 1660's, John Ray and his pupil (and, later, patron) Francis Willughby toured the Continent, gathering material for their planned complete classification of the vegetable and animal kingdoms. After Willughby's early death in 1672, which deprived Ray of both a collaborator and a friend, Ray took over his notes, and, having edited the incomplete manuscript and added his own observations, published Francisci Willughbeii ornithologiae libri tres; totum opus recognovit, digressit, supplevit Joannes Raius, in 1676. The present work, a translation by Ray, was published two years later and includes three more plates than the Latin edition as well as an expanded text, including three additional sections by Ray on fowling, falconry, and songbirds. In all, Ray and Willughby described more than 230 species, which they had observed. Ray's systemization was revolutionary (Zimmer calls it the "cornerstone of modern systematic ornithology"), preserving the broad division of land and water birds, but rather than subdividing functionally, on grounds of diet, singing ability, and other behavioral traits, he introduced a classification based on anatomy, using for criteria foot structure, beak form, and body size. In the preface, Ray writes that the plates, despite some difficulties in communication between himself and the engravers, "are the best and truest, that is, most like the live Birds, of any hitherto engraven in Brass." Isaac Newton called this work the "foundation of scientific ornithology." N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Seller: Fine Editions Ltd, Lancaster, PA, U.S.A.

Willughby, Francis / Ray, John.. The Ornithology of Francis Willughby of Middleton in the County of Warwick Esq. Fellow of the Royal Society. In Three Books. Wherein All the Birds Hitherto Known, Being reduced into a Method sutable to their Natures, are accurately described. The Descriptions illustrated by most elegant Figures, nearly resembling the live Birds, Engraven in LXXVIII [78] Copper Plates. Translated into English, and enlarged with many Additions throughout the whole Work. To which is added, Three considerable Discourses, I. Of the Art of Fowling: With a Description of Several Nets in two large copper Plates. II. Of the Ordering of Singing Birds. III. Of Falconry. By John Ray, Fellow of the Royal Society.. London, Printed by A.C. for John Martyn, Printer to the Royal Society, MDCLXXVIII []., 1678.

Price: US$3917.66 + shipping

Description: First Edition. 35.5 x 23 cm (14 x 9 inches). Title Page in Red and Black, (10) [Preface/Errata], 441 pages, (6) [Index], 78 Plates. Two copper Plates on the Art of Fowling appear after page 28. Contemporary calf boards. Professionally rebacked with matching new spine. Morroco spine label with gilt title. Blind decorations. Six raised bands. Very good condition. Rubbed and bumped. Corners weakened. Edges age darkened. Some pages have reinforced edges (see images). Some spotting and age darkening. Short closed tear (5 cm) to bottom of page 441. Very mild damp staining to a few pages. Still an amazingly well preserved and complete copy of this scarce work. With all 80 Plates, as called for. See images. Provenance: Ex Libris of J.F. [John Frederic] Symons-Jeune (1850 - 1925). Name of other previous owner ('Jackson') in ink on title page. Please note. Text block appears complete with a few pages being misnumbered: 160 as 158, 330 as 332, 335 as 333.

Seller: West Coast Rare Books, Westport, MAYO, Ireland

WILLUGHBY, Francis (1635-1672); and John RAY. The Ornithology of Francis Willughby . In three books. Wherein all the birds hitherto known . are accurately described. Translated into English, with many additions. To which are added three considerable discourses, I. Of the art of fowling . II. Of the ordering of singing birds. III. Of falconry. By John Ray. John Martyn, London, 1678.

Price: US$4250.00 + shipping

Description: Title printed in red & black. 80 engraved plates (2 unnumbered, plus plates numbered 1-78), 2 letterpress tables. Expertly bound to style in half eighteenth century russia and marbled paper covered boards First edition in English of "one of the most important treatises on ornithology of all time, being the first systematic classification of the birds of the world" (Wood). John Ray and his pupil and friend Francis Willughby toured Europe gathering material for their planned complete classification of the vegetable and animal kingdoms. After Willughby's early death in 1672 Ray took over his notes, and having edited the incomplete manuscript and added his own observations published his friend's work in 1676 as Francisci Willughbeii ornithologiae libri tres; totum opus recognovit, digressit, supplevit Joannes Raius. The present work, a translation by Ray, was published two years later and includes three more plates than the Latin edition, and an expanded text including three additional sections by Ray on fowling, falconry and song-birds. Anker 532; BM (NH) V, p.2331; Keynes Ray 39; Nissen IVB 991; Wood p.629; Wing W-2879; Zimmer 677.

Seller: Donald A. Heald Rare Books (ABAA), New York, NY, U.S.A.

Francis WILLUGHBY [Fellow of the Royal Society]  and John RAY. The Ornithology of Francis Willughby Of Middleton in the County of Warwick Esq; Fellow of the Royal Society. In Three Books. Wherein All the Birds Hitherto Known, Being reduced into a Method suitable to their Natures, are Accurately Described. The Descriptions Illustrated by Most Elegant Figures, Nearly Resembling the live Birds, Engraven in LXXVIII Copper Plates. Translated into English and Enlarged with Many Additions Throughout the Whole Work. To Which are Added, Three Considerable Discourses, I. Of the Art of Fowling: With a Description of Several Nets in Two Large Copper Plates II. Of the Ordering of Singing Birds. III. Of Falconry. By John Ray, Fellow of the Royal Society. [First English Edition]. Printed by A.C. for John Martyn Printer for the Royal Society, 1678.

Price: US$4489.36 + shipping

Condition: Good

Description: London: Printed by A.C. for John Martyn Printer for the Royal Society, 1678. First English Edition. Folio, a good copy in contemporary English calf, with a historic reback to the spine. Contemporary ink and pencil annotation and some correction throughout. Collated and complete. Plate XXVII with an engraving of the Dodo. Some closed tears to the base or top of the plates, one plate repaired. First English edition of the first modern Ornithology, and 'one of the most important treatises on ornithology of all time' (Wood). It was translated and adapted from the Latin text of 1676 by John Ray, who added three additional plates and the three discourses on fowling, song birds, and falconry at the end. This work, begun jointly by Willughby and Ray and completed by Ray after the former's death in 1672, revolutionised ornithological taxonomy by organising species according to their physical characteristics. 'An important feature of the book was to be the engraved figures of birds, the cost being contributed by Willughby's widow. The Ornithologia, dated on the title page 1676 and carrying the arms of the Royal Society, if regarded only as a piece of book production, is magnificent. With its historical importance added it becomes one of the fairest monuments that mark the progress of scientific natural history' (Keynes p 54). As Keynes notes, the Latin edition was largely the work of Ray, as Willughby had died in 1672 and had left only rough field notes towards his ornithology. Ray effectively wrote the entire work, utilising not only Willughby's material but that of his own and other naturalists, and he provided the taxonomic system. The plates [numbered I to LXVIII], numbered XII, XXII and XLV are signed by F. H. van Houe, XXXVIIII, XLIIII signed by W. Faithorne, and XLVIII signed by W. Sherwin; the others are unsigned. Provenance: crest to the front board. Approximately 14 inches tall.   Condition Report Externally Spine – good condition – gilt titles to an old and a little tired, red label; spine repaired with the original spine laid on, matched to the original boards. Joints – good condition – sound, repaired. Corners – fair condition – bumped and worn Boards – good condition – marked and scratched, gilt crest to the front board. Page edges – good condition – all edges darkened. See above and photos. Internally Hinges – good condition – sound, repaired. Paste downs – good condition – more recent. End papers – good condition – first end papers more recent, others marked, stained. Title – good condition – tanned, red and black text. Pages – good condition – tanned throughout, plates with some marginal closed tears, one repaired - see photos. Binding – good condition – sound, worn. See photos

Seller: Louis88Books (Members of the PBFA), Andover, United Kingdom

Willughby, Francis; RAY, John (editor).. The Ornithology of Francis Willughby of Middleton in the county of Warwick Esq; fellow of the Royal Society. In three books. Wherein all the birds hitherto known, being reduced into a method sutable to their natures, are accurately described. The descriptions illustrated by most elegant figures, nearly resembling the live birds, engraven in LXXVII copper plates. Translated into English, and enlarged with many additions throughout the whole work. To which are added, three considerable discourses, I. Of the art of fowling: with a description of several nets in two large copper plates. II. Of the ordering of singing birds. III. Of falconry. By John Ray, fellow of the Royal Society.. London printed by Andrew. Clarke. for John Martyn printer to the Royal Society at the Bell in St. Pauls Church-Yard, 1678.

Price: US$4779.50 + shipping

Description: First edition in English; folio (39 x 25 cm); 80 engraved plates comprising 78 plates of birds showing multiple subjects numbered 1-LXXVIII, and 2 un-numbered plates of netting, bookplate, some minor tears to a few pages; occasional light soiling, contemporary calf, neat restoration to edges and extremities, a very good copy; [12], 53, [3], 55-271, [3], 273-441, [7] pp. The most celebrated early English ornithology. 'It is difficult to underestimate what enormous labour this work entailed. Willughby and Ray's goal was to see, describe and dissect every known bird — assumed to be about 500 at that time (in fact, we now know that there are around 10,000 species of birds in the world). Their second aim was to use these descriptions to construct a biologically meaningful classification of birds. The efficacy of Willughby and Ray's classification of birds was obvious to Carl Linnaeus who, a century later used it more or less unchanged in his own System Naturae' (Tim Birkenhead, The Wonderful Mr. Willoughby). Keynes, Ray 39; Nissen IVB 991, Norman II, 1792; Wing W 2880.

Seller: Shapero Rare Books, London, United Kingdom

WILLUGHBY, Francis (1635-1672); and John RAY (1627-1705). The Ornithology of Francis Willughby . In three books. Wherein all the birds hitherto known . are accurately described. Translated into English, with many additions. To which are added three considerable discourses, I. Of the art of fowling . II. Of the ordering of singing birds. III. Of falconry. By John Ray. John Martyn, London, 1678.

Price: US$5000.00 + shipping

Description: (14 x 8 3/4 inches). Title printed in red & black. 80 engraved plates (2 unnumbered, plus plates numbered 1-78), 2 letterpress tables. Eighteenth century russia, covers tooled in gilt, spine gilt with raised bands, marbled endpapers and edges. Provenance: Earls of Abingdon (armorial bookplate); unidentified armorial stamp on the covers and spine; William Wordie (booklabel) First edition in English of "one of the most important treatises on ornithology of all time, being the first systematic classification of the birds of the world" (Wood): a tall copy with provenance to the Earls of Abingdon. John Ray and his pupil and friend Francis Willughby toured Europe gathering material for their planned complete classification of the vegetable and animal kingdoms. After Willughby's early death in 1672 Ray took over his notes, and having edited the incomplete manuscript and added his own observations published his friend's work in 1676 as Francisci Willughbeii ornithologiae libri tres; totum opus recognovit, digressit, supplevit Joannes Raius. The present work, a translation by Ray, was published two years later and includes three more plates than the Latin edition, and an expanded text including three additional sections by Ray on fowling, falconry and song-birds. Anker 532; BM (NH) V, p.2331; Keynes Ray 39; Nissen IVB 991; Wood p.629; Wing W-2879; Zimmer 677.

Seller: Donald A. Heald Rare Books (ABAA), New York, NY, U.S.A.

Francis Willughby, John Ray. The Ornithology of Francis Willughby In Three Books. Wherein all the Birds Hitherto known being reduced into a Method suitable to their natures are accurately Described. A[ndrew]. C[lark]. for John Martyn, LONDON, 1678.

Price: US$5772.03 + shipping

Condition: Very Good

Description: A very good copy in a high quality full leather binding. With title page in red and black ink; preface; text in 3 books with 2 plates of bird traps bound in, and 2 tables which serve as early identification keys; an appendix; summary of falconry; index and 78 plates of birds (including the dodo) at the rear. This is the first English edition translated from the original Latin which was published in 1676, four years after Willughby's death by his friend and colleague John Ray. It marks one of the first attempts to take a rational, scientific approach to classifying birds. It is a matter of debate, and current research, as to whether Willughby or Ray played a greater part in its development. Ray supervised the publication. The illustrations were commissioned from a number of sources and some birds are depicted twice where the initial image was not very good.This copy lacks the original endpapers - perhaps lost during the later rebinding - but is complete including the additional falconry material. There is some browning to page edges. Some of the plates have some fraying at the very edges where the paper is more fragile. This is most marked in plates LXXVI and LXXVIII - which also has a slight crease.

Seller: ecbooks, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom

Willughby, Francis and John Ray. The Ornithology of Francis Willughby of Middleton in the County of Warwick Esq; Fellow of the Royal Society. In Three Books. Wherein All the Birds Hitherto Known, Being reduced into a Method sutable [sic] to their Natures, are accurately described. The Descriptions illustrated by most Elegant Figures, nearly resembling the live Birds, Engraved in LXXVIII Copper Plates. Translated into English, and enlarged with many Additions throughout the whole Work. To which are added Three Considerable Discourses, I. Of the Art of Fowling: With a Description of Several Nets in two large Copper Plates. II. Of the Ordering of Singing Birds. III. Of Falconry. By John Ray, Fellow of the Royal Society. Andrew Clarke for John Martyn, London, 1678.

Price: US$6825.00 + shipping

Condition: Very Good

Description: "THE FOUNDATION OF SCIENTIFIC ORNITHOLOGY" First edition in English. London: Printed by A[ndrew] C[larke] for John Martyn, 1678. Folio in 4s (14" x 8 7/8", 355mm x 235mm). [Full collation available.] With 80 etched-engraved plates (2 bird-catching diagrams, 78 ornithological) and 2 typeset plates of charts. Bound in contemporary speckled calf with a double blind fillet border. With a vertical division near the spine-edge of a double blind fillet and a blind scalloped roll. On the spine, six raised bands with gilt rolls. In the panels, a double gilt fillet border surrounding gilt scrollwork. Title gilt to the second panel within a double gilt fillet border. Gilt roll to the edges of the boards. All edges of the text-block speckled red. Both boards starting at the upper edges, but still solid. With some rubbing and staining generally. With marginal worming at the lower edge from the front paste-down to Qq3, not affecting the text. Altogether a bright copy with fine margins (some 40mm at the fore, 30mm at the bottom and 20mm at the top) and an exceptional impression of the plates. On the title-page, the early ink inscription "Hindlater" (?). Willughby (1635-1672) was the pupil of Ray (1627-1705) at Trinity College, Cambridge, long a hub of natural science. Willughby revolutionized the taxonomy of birds by classing them not according to their edibility or personalities, but by the ways their habitat and behavior interacted with their physical forms. He died young, however, and it was his tutor Ray who brought his work to press, first in Latin (Ornithologiae libri tres. London, 1676) and here in English. These paved the way for later organizational developments under Linnaeus and, ultimately Darwin. Anker 532, Ayer/Zimmer II.677, Nissen IVB 991, ESTC R9288.

Seller: Arader Books, New York, NY, U.S.A.