The third (first handy pocket-sized) edition of two books on falconry by Simon Latham (d. 1649?), first published in 1614 and 1618 respectively. The first edition of part 1 was dedicated to Sir Thomas Monson, Master Falconer to James I, and the present edition retains that dedication, though Monson died in 1641 (and James in 1625). The second part is Lathams New and second book of faulconry, first published in 1618 but "usually bound up with the first" (Harting, p. 16) and noted even on the 1614 and 1615 title-pages of the first part. "Ordering and training of all hawks in general and especially the haggard falcon gentle. Approved medicines for the cure of all their difficulties. A very rare and valuable work" (USAF). The frontispiece depicts tools of the falconers trade. The 1615 "edition" of book 1 is a reissue of the first (1614) edition, but second editions of both books appeared in 1633 and the present third editions in 1658. All editions before 1658 are in 4to format. The present small 8vo was more convenient for an ornithologist to use in the field.
From the personal collection of the gentleman and Knightsbridge manuscript dealer Myles Colbeck Radford (1897-1963) with his armorial bookplate to front paste-down. Some spots and stains throughout; lacking the final blank. Lower corner of A2 in part 1 torn with slight loss of text (professionally remargined). ESTC R202683; Harting 20 (note); WorldCat 228729034; USAF Academy Library, Special bibliography series no. 38: Falconry, p. 14; Wing L568 & L569; cf. Schwerdt I, 302.