Two Editions of James Douglas' 'Myographiæ Comparatæ Specimen' on 18th Century Anatomy (1707) and (1750)
Douglas (1675-1742) was a well-known teacher of anatomy in London where he practised midwifery. He was responsible for William Hunter coming to London. Douglas is best known for his description of the pouch of Douglas in the peritoneal cavity. He wrote on the peritoneam and produced an excellent bibliography of anatomy. His book on the muscles was translated into Latin and Dutch.
'Myographiæ Comparatæ Specimen: or a Comparative Description of all the Muscles in a Man and in a Quadruped. Shewing their Discoverer, Origin, Progress, Insertion, Use and Difference. To Which is Added, An Account of the Muscles Peculiar to a Woman':
1) Pub. LONDON: 'Printer by W.B. for G. Strachan', at the Golden Ball, over against the Royal Exchange, 1707. Collation: 12° (in sixes) a-b6 A-U6 X2 ($1-3 signed) 134 leaves; pp. [2] iii-xxxvi 1-216 1-16. Brief Collation: Title, pp iii-xxxvi, 216pp, 16pp.
Speckled brown leather binding, chipping ears, minor marks and tanning, 'W/L' penned to first page with pencil name Russell 267, p.151 and 211 page slightly reduced. References: Russell 'British Anatomy' 267; ESTC N26181 and Rootenberg in Cat. 4, 1985 lists a copy at £285. Bookplates: Thomas Higginson His Book No M. DCC. LXXII [1772], and Ex Libris Anatomica K.F. Russell (126x196mm)
This variant edition is marked 'G. Strachan'.
2) Pub. EDINBURGH: Printed for A. Kincaid and G Crawford, and sold by them and G. Strachan Bookseller in London, MDCCL (1750). Collation: 4° (initial pages) 8° (in fours) a-c4 A-2D4 2E2 ($1 signed) 122 leaves; pp. [2] iii- xxxii 1-219 [1]. Collation Brief: Title, pp.iii-xxxii, 219pp.
Rebound in blue buckram, gold leaf title to spine, inner pages foxed and tanned, some unevenly, p.185 small hole to top right corner. References: Russell 'British Anatomy' 268 ESTC T134137. Bookplate: Ex Libris Anatomica K.F. Russell (192x118mm)


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

Estimate $300-400