LATHAM'S FALCONRY: A FACSIMILE AND A COMMENTARY BY DAVID HOROBIN, IN TWO VOLUMES.

(1633) 2012 new edition. Pp[xxxii],177,[xxii],144,[vi] + 313. B/w photographs, illustrations. Commentary signed by David Horobin. Red cloth decorated in black and gilt. .

Latham's Faulconry, or The Faulcon's Lure and Cure. A facsimile of the 1633 combined volume of Latham's Falconry, together with an extensive and learned chapter-by-chapter commentary on Latham's work. With a Foreword by Roger Upton. "Although almost 400 years old, Latham's expertise in conditioning hawks in order to get the best performance is something the commentator believes is still of great relevance today. Latham's own view was that this knowledge, passed from generation to generation by word of mouth, was discounted in his day, hence his desire to write it down for future generations. However, falconry's decline shortly after Latham's death meant that few falconers since have used such techniques and the expense of obtaining Latham's work ever since has meant that his methods are still relatively unknown save for being championed by those who have accessed, deciphered and put into practice the original text. Since 17th century language makes Latham's message more difficult to determine today, the chapter-by-chapter commentary attempts to interpret Latham's methodology for the modern practitioner alongside the scarce original text in facsimile. Notes on Latham himself, based on original research, plus material contextualising his world and work are also included."