Sale: 397 / Rare Books, Nov. 19./20. 2012 in Hamburg button next Lot 31

 
William Turner - Avium praecipuarum. 1544.


31
William Turner
Avium praecipuarum. 1544.
Estimate:
€ 16,000 / $ 17,280
Sold:
€ 17,400 / $ 18,792

(incl. surcharge)
Turner, W., Avium praecipuarum, quarum apud Plinium et Aristotelem mentio est, brevis & succincta historia. Ex optimis quibusque scriptoribus contexta, scholio illustrata & aucta. Adiectis nominibus Graecis, Germanicis & Britannicis. Cologne, Joh. Gymnich 1544. 18th century calf with gilt spine, red label and marbled endpapers. 8vo. 80 nn. ll. (last blank).

Only edition, extremely rare . No copy in JAP, only 4 copies in ABPC. - "The very rare first edition of the first book devoted to birds . An account of principal bird species mentioned by Aristotle and Pliny, the book was the first ornithological treatise to contain clear descriptions of the appearence of individual species based upon the author's own experiences and observations" (Norman Coll.). - "But the great value of Turner's work consists in the fact that he is always most careful to tell us whether he observed the birds he describes in England or abroad, and it is for this reason that his comments are of such importance to the student of British ornithology. Turner was held in great estimation by Gesner, who quotes him freely in his writings .." (Mullens/Swann). - White half title with slight offsetting from an old price inscription on the foregoing blank leaf, partly small waterstain, front joint brittle, corners minimally scufefd. Overall well-preserved copy.

VD 16, T 2384 (just 4 copies). - Adams T 1163. - BM STC, German Books p. 876. - Garrison/Morton 277. - Mullens/Swann pp. 596-599. - Wood p. 605. - Norman Coll. 205.

Very rare first edition of the first book devoted to birds. "Turner attempted to determine those birds named by Aristotle and Pliny; he added notes from his own observations on birds, identifying numerous northern European and English species for the first time" (Garrison/Morton).18th cent. calf with gilt spine, red label and marbled endpapers. 80 nn. leaves (last blank). - Title with slight offsetting from an old price inscription on the foregoing blank leaf, partly small waterstain, front joint brittle, edges minim. bumped. Altogether fine copy.




31
William Turner
Avium praecipuarum. 1544.
Estimate:
€ 16,000 / $ 17,280
Sold:
€ 17,400 / $ 18,792

(incl. surcharge)

 


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