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Lot 153

PERRAULT (CLAUDE)]
Memoirs for a Natural History of Animals. Containing the Anatomical Descriptions of Several Creatures Dissected by the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris. Englished by Alexander Pitfeild, 2 parts in 1 vol., Joseph Streater, for T.Basset, J. Robinson, [and others], 1688

24 June 2015, 11:00 BST
London, Knightsbridge

£600 - £800

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[PERRAULT (CLAUDE)]

Memoirs for a Natural History of Animals. Containing the Anatomical Descriptions of Several Creatures Dissected by the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris. Englished by Alexander Pitfeild, 2 parts in 1 vol., title printed in red and black, engraved additional decorative title, 35 engraved plates, contemporary panelled calf, worn, covers detached [Wing P1667; Nissen ZBI 3125], folio (294 x 210mm.), Joseph Streater, for T.Basset, J. Robinson, [and others], 1688

Footnotes

First English edition of an important work of comparative biology, first published by the French Académie des Sciences in 1671-1676. Memoirs was translated by Alexander Pitfeild, and The Measure of Earth by Richard Waller, both Fellows of the Royal Society.

Provenance: "Presented to the Royal Society November ye 9. 1687 by Mr: Pitfeild and Mr. Waller", ink note in lower margin of title; "Bought at the Sale of the library of the late Dr. Davy, Master of Caius College, March 1840, pencil note on front paste-down. This is presumably Martin Davy (1763-1839) physician and, from 1803, master at Caius College where he was also vice-chancellor on two occasions. After the death of his wife in 1811 "he devoted himself to private study in his library, which was well stocked with editions of classical authors. Their sale after his death realized £1130" (ODNB); May Fairbairn, early twentieth century ownership inscription.

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