HUNTING. ORNITHOLOGY. CYNEGETICS. FORTIN (François). Les Rus - Lot 98

HUNTING. ORNITHOLOGY. CYNEGETICS. FORTIN (François). Les Ruses innocentes dans lesquelles se voit comment on prend les Oyseaux passagers, & les non passagers [...]. Paris, Pierre Lamy, 1660. In-4. 288 pp. with title in red and black. Restored contemporary marbled tan calf, spine with 5 muted bands. Very first edition of this prized work. Complete with 66 wood-engraved plates, including 7 fold-outs, in black. Attractive engraved bands with a hunting theme. Divided into 5 books: the first teaches the art of making nets, the next two deal with the art of catching birds, the fourth with hunting hares, rabbits, foxes, etc., and the fifth with fishing. François Fortin (1592-1661), from Tours, was a friar of Grandmont, a Catholic order from the Limousin region founded in the Middle Ages. Known as the "inventive loner" who wrote about hunting and fishing, little is known about him, this title being his crowning glory. "Thiébaud, Bibliographie des ouvrages français sur la chasse, 408. Provenance: Richard Benyon de Beauvoir, Englefield House (armorial label on flyleaf with motto Vincam vel moriar) early 19th-century British politician. Spine renewed in imitation, corners restored, title a little faded, browning but beautiful engravings.