A Collectors' Lot of Seven Various Editions of James Keill's 'The Anatomy of the Humane Body' including the 1st (1698)
KEILL, James (1673-1719) practised at Northampton. These editions were a popular and excellent work on anatomy. It was deservedly popular and went through 18 editions in English and was translated into French 3 times, into Dutch (1) and Latin (1); a first-class text written by a skilled anatomist. Keill has been rather neglected but this book is a worthwhile monument to the author. Nevertheless as Valadez and O'Malley (1971) quite correctly point out, Keill based his text on Amé Bourdon (1638-1706) 'Nouvelle description anatomique de toutes les parties du corps humain' (Paris, 1679, 1683, 1687). Keill is careful to mention this in his preface.' (Russell British Anatomy 490). 'The anatomy of the humane body abridged; or, a short and full view of all the parts of the body. Together with their several uses drawn from their compositions and structures':
1) First Edition 1698. Pub. LONDON: Printed for William Keblewhite, at the Swan in St Paul's Church-Yard. Collation: 12° A-P12 ($1-5 signed) 180 leaves; pp. [24] 1-328 [8]. Collation Brief: Title, [11]leaves, 328pp., [4]leaves. The first edition was published anonymously but the dedication to Edward Tyson is signed James Keill on A3b. Dark brown full leather, well worn, foxing and tanning, marks to edging, some waving, tear to end page. References: Russell British Anatomy 490 ESTC R16835; Wing K 131; RACS p. 87; Dawson's Cat. 281 (1980) lists a copy at £350; Thorp in 1982 catalogue had a copy at £350. Bookplate: Ex Libris Anatomica K.F. Russell. (146x84mm)
2) Second Edition Revised 1703 Pub. LONDON: Printed for William Keblewite, and sold by J. Nutt near Stationers- Hall. Collation: 12° A6 B-P12 ($1-5 signed) 174 leaves; pp. [12] 1-335 [1]. Collation Brief: Title, [5]leaves, 335pp. Tan buckram with gold embossed title to spine, marbled endpapers with spotting, script to first end page, some foxing and tanning. References Author details: Russell British Anatomy and 491 ESTC T121278. Signature of Lt Col. Richardson, Bohn, 1855. From the library of Frederic Wood Jones. Bookplates: Frederic Wood Jones book label and Ex Libris Anatomica K.F. Russell.
3) Third edition, Revis'd 1708. Pub. LONDON: Printed by J.B. for Ralph Smith at the Bible under the Royal Exchange in Cornhill and William Keble at the Black Spread-Eagel in Westminister-Hall. Collation: 12° A6 B-P12 ($1-5 signed) 174 leaves; pp. [12] 1-335 [1]. Collation Brief: Title, [5]leaves, 335pp. Quarter red morocco with marbled boards and vellum corners. Rebound by Gray of Cambridge, This is the binding adopted by the Royal College of Surgeons for their rare books which require rebinding. Older pages foxed, tanned and marked, some heavy script to end pages and title page. Reference: Russell British Anatomy 493. Signatures of Benjamin Dalton January 5th 1710/11 pret. 2s 0d. (repeated many times); J.S. Dalton; and W.H. Fludgen Sept 24th 1876. Bookplate: Ex Libris Anatomica K.F. Russell (147x85mm)
4) Sixth edition, corrected 1718. Pub. LONDON: Printed by R. Smith at the Bible under the Royal-Exchange, Cornhill. Collation: 12° A6 B-R12 ($1-5 signed) 198 leaves; pp. [12] 1-384. Collation Brief: Title, [5]leaves, 384pp. Grey soft cloth cover with typed label to spine, 'Richd M. Massey Junior' scripted to title page and end page, foxing, tanning and some soiling. References: Russell British Anatomy 496 and ESTC N1264. With the signature of Richard Massey Junior and at the back R. Massey August 17, 1739. Bookplate: Ex Libris Anatomica K.F. Russell (145x85mm)
5) Seventh edition corrected 1723. Pub. LONDON: Printed for John Clark at the Bible under the Royal Exchange, Cornhill. MDCCXXIII. Collation: 12° A6 B-Q12 R6 ($1-5 signed) 192 leaves; pp. [12] 1-369 [3]. Collation Brief: title, [5]leaves, 368pp., [1]leaf. Full brown leather cover with gold embossed border and title to spine, cover very loose with some cracking on the spine, shelf wear, some leather bleeding, foxing and tanning, some page waving, owners name to title page. References: Russell British Anatomy 497 & ESTC N1265. With signatures of Ralph Kibble: '1729 pretium 2s 6d. and W. M. Fletcher', '1910 pretium 1/6'. Bookplate: Ex Libris Anatomica K.F. Russell (146x85mm
6) Eleventh edition, corrected 1742. Pub. LONDON: Printed for John Clark, at the Bible under the Royal-Exchange, Cornhill. MDCC.XLII. Collation: 12° A6 B-Q12 ($1-5 signed) 186 leaves; pp. [11] 2-361 [1]. Collation Brief: Title, [4]leaves, 361pp. Brown suede leather with faintly impressed decorative features to cover, shelf wear with some shedding, marks and stains, gold embossed title to spine, some foxing and tanning. References: Russell British Anatomy 501 & ESTC N1268. Bookplate: Ex Libris Anatomica K.F. Russell (147x85mm)
7) Fifteenth Edition, corrected 1771. Pub. LONDON: Printed for J. and F. Rivington in St Paul's Church-yard, W. Johnston in Ludgate-Street, and S. Bladon in Pater-noster-Row. M DCC LXXI. 12° (in sixes) p4 A-2B6 2C4 ($1-3 signed; 2C3 signed 2D) 158 leaves; pp. [9] 2- 306 [2]. Collation brief: Title, [3]leaves, 306pp. Brown leather binding by Gray Cambridge 1955, some leather bleeding, spots, tanning and foxing. References: Russell British Anatomy 507 ESTC N1270. Bookplate: Ex Libris Anatomica K.F. Russell (170x102mm)


PROVENANCE:
Collection Late Kenneth F. Russell (1911-1987), Professor of Anatomy and Medical History, University of Melbourne.

Estimate $500-700