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Image Not Available for The Ornithology of Francis Willughby...Wherein All the Birds hitherto known...are accurately described
The Ornithology of Francis Willughby...Wherein All the Birds hitherto known...are accurately described
Image Not Available for The Ornithology of Francis Willughby...Wherein All the Birds hitherto known...are accurately described

The Ornithology of Francis Willughby...Wherein All the Birds hitherto known...are accurately described

Date1678
Primary Author John Ray (1627 - 1705)
Second Author Francis Willughby (1653 - 1672)
Publisher John Martyn
Publisher Andrew Clarke
OriginEngland, London
MediumBound folio volume in contemporary calf, laid paper
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, Beatrice Gibbons and Karl Kilgore, Robert Grossman, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Roberts, Al and Bridget Ritter, Donna C. Sheppard, The Odyssey Foundation, and Anthony and Lulu Wang through the Shoreland Foundation
Object number2009-9
DescriptionTitle page printed in red and black. This volume contains 80 engraved plates, extensively annotated and extra-illustrated by George Edwards with feather specimens, 8 original drawings and 29 tipped in etchings, one counter-proof, a finished original drawing and numerous additional sketches.

There are four bookplates:
George Edwards (1694-1773)
Joseph Cockfield
Carl Franz George Richard Schwerdt
H.R.H. the Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester
Label TextPublished by John Ray following the death of his friend Francis Willughby, this book provided the first systematic classification of birds from every part of the known world. This first edition was acquired by George Edwards about the time he began working at the Royal College of Physicians. It provides a fascinating insight into Edwards’s approach to the study of natural history because he made notes liberally throughout the book. He also pasted numerous feather samples and even the tongue of a toucan onto the pages. In addition, this volume contains over forty original drawings and etchings tipped into the original binding.
Inscribed"George Edwards of Physicians College London 1734" and "with written notes by George Edwards" on the title page. Second flyleaf contains "Geo Edwards of Physicians College London 1733." Significant marginalia throughout.