Joseph Batty, Born 1929, an education literature developer and publisher in the UK, had a interest in poultry which resulted in the publication of a wide range of books on associated topics. Some rate his bird material as second hand, some think it not legitimately written by him.
However, the range is extensive so a bibliography is warranted. The quality of his work varies from excellent hardback works, to poor limp covered
perfect bindings , to pamphlets.
A checklist of the books published by Dr Batty, various authors and publisher names.
Information Layout,
Author, Title, Publisher, Date, binding, size and pages (pp) and col plts (cp) (price guide).
Roughly listed in publication order. Pleae note the pictures are all resized to make upload easy. Check the book sizes as listed.
Any errors are mine, I am happy to have them pointed out and the page amended with credits.( several books missed on first production). Jim Finger.
Price Guide presumes near fine condition, meaning no faults, splits, damage, and copies similar seen on the market from about 2018. Also google search may also give a copy currently available and alternative pricing. It is a guide only, based on my best estimates.
Batty, Dr. Joseph. Understanding Old English Game, Spur Publications Co, 1973, 1976 and others. Photo is1976 2nd ed Hardback with DJ. A5 format. 70pp b/w illust with 1 col plt. $80-150
Gilbey, Sir Walter, Bart. Sport in Olden time 1975 Spur, HB embossed cover no DJ 115pp A5 Format b/w illustrations. I am unsure if this is an original edition of it was published earlier Fine copy. $200-300
W.H. Silk. Bantams and Miniature Fowl, First Ed Poultry World 1951? Then Batty Spur Publications Co 1974, and 1976. Photo HB with DJ. 142pp b/w illust 1cp. Photo of HB Poultry World no DJ A5 Format. 170pp b/w illust, Causby Bookplate First ed $80, 2nd ed $80-100
first ed
Howlett, Robert. (RH) Royal Pastime of Cockfighting A reprint of the 1709 classic. About 1975 not sighted by me. The original is very scarce.
No Pic
Johnson, A. A. and Payne, W.H. Ornamental Waterfowl. 1975 also produced by other publishers. My copy seems to have disappeared.
No Pic
Scott, G. Ryley. History of Cockfighting a second edition by Saiga Edition unsighted by me, of the original work produced by Charles Skilton about 1925. Scott has several other works by different publishers from that era all worth collecting. Modern Poultry Management 1925 and the Art of Faking for exhibition 1934.
No Pic
Sturges, Rev T.W, Seven Editions most unsighted by me This ed is the 7th revised 1976. HB with DJ. A5 format.108pp b/w illust and 1 cp. $70
Roles, Grenville. Rare Pheasants of the world, Spur Publication Co 1976 First edition HB with DJ, A4 format. 106pp 31 b/w illust 2 cp $100-140
Batty, Dr Joseph, Understanding Modern Game Bantams and Large. 1976 HB with DJ A5 format, 99pp b/w illust interesting incription on fep 1995. $80-100
Easom Smith, H Modern Poultry Development Spur Publication 1976 First Ed HB with DJ. 215pp b/w illust A5 Format. Very useful history. $80-100
Woods, Rex. Rare Poultry Of Ashe. Spur Publications 1976 First ed HB with DJ 136 pp B/w illust 2 cp, a5 FORMAT. An Interesting study of a poultry breed collection. $ 100-120
Easom Smith, H Bantams For Everyone Illiffe Books 1967 First ed HB with DJ 188pp b/w illust 4 cp 3 of feathers A5 format. 2nd Edition Spur Publications 1976 HB with DJ 184pp b/w illust but only 1 CP frontis feather CP is not published. Ist ed $100-120 2nd $80-100
2nd ed
Cassell and co Poultry Houses and Appliances Firs Ed Cassell and Co, at same time Spur Publications. 1976 ( though I suspect it was an earlier work reproduced.) Spur Pub HB with DJ. 154 pp b/w illust A5 Format . Cassell version unsighted by me. $60-80
Atkinson, Herbert Cockfighting and Game Fowl. A reprint of the original listed elsewhere . Saiga Publishing 1977 amd 1981 this 3rd imp 1981. HB with DJ pp253 with 10cp and 11b/w pl Quarto format. An excellent reproduction of one of the classics of Game fowl. For those who cannot afford the 1910? Original. $200-300
Batty, J, Batty M, Francis Charles. Poultry Colour Guide, Spur Publishing 1977 HB with DJ Large format A4+ pp-79 with about 60 CP. Mainly the work of the artist Charles Francis . with most breeds and colours represented that were available in that era. $120-150
Delacour, Jean. The Pheasants of the World Joint publication of Spur and the World Pheasant assn. This copy is 2nd edition. I haven’t sighted a first. A4+ HB with DJ. 397pp 32 full page col plates. For the specialist breeder. Included the jungle fowls. The progenitors of the domesticated pure breeds. Rare, $300-400
Jeffery, Fred P. Bantam Breeding and Genetics ( also published as Bantam Chickens in the USA). Spur Publications technically the 2nd edition of Bantam Chickens. 1977 HB with DJ A5 309pp b/w illustrations. Regarded as the premier genetics work of its time until the newer technology allowed better analysis. $100-300.
Portsmouth. John. Practical Poultry Keeping. First Published Poultry World 1943. This edition 7th 1978 Spur Publications. HB with DJ 207pp b/w illust . A useful study of poultry management from the war period in England. Much has now new technology and better disease management. $50-100
A later revised edition revised by Batty HB with DJ 231pp $40-80 and a pb $20
Hawkey, K.J.G. Understanding Indian Game Large and Bantam Spur Publication 1978 First ed. HB with DJ. i-viii 1-151 pp A5 format. 2cp and b/w illustration. Standard reference of Indian and the credits list the whos who of Indians in England at the time. Excellent work. $150-300
Fitzsimmons, James O’C Pheasants and their Enemies 2nd ed Spur/Saiga HB with DJ. 1979 ( 1st ed 1963 publisher unknown) A5 format, pp101 with 2cp and b/w illust. $ 80-130
Batty, J. Domesticated Ducks and Geese Spur/Saiga First Ed HB with DJ A5 Format 232pp i-xv 1-232pp. 4 col plts lots of b/w illust. This copy has the dj taped on so low value as collectible 50-150
Anderson Brown, Dr A F. The incubation Book 1979 Spur, First ed HB with DJ. 246pp. I cut my teeth in incubation with this book, and studied it carefully and repeatedly. Much is now understood but this carries the basics to a middle level. The electronics discussion was cutting edge is now sadly out of date. $100-200.
Finsterbusch, C. A. Cockfighting all over the World. 1929 First ed Grit and Steel 471pp with double fold Sport in Southern Sumatra $200
2nd ed 1980 Saiga Revised ed, frontis photo now EP smaller view still 471pp . A5 Format HB embossed title no DJ. $200-400
Batty, J, ( revised by) Pictorial Poultry Keeping. This third ed 1980 first is unknow to me. A whole series of articles I believe from Poultry World. Interesting management of its time HB no DJ. A5+format 208pp b/w illust Woth having to round out the collection $50
Marshall, Mark. The King Of the Fowls first ed 1958 privately published in Australia. .An Australian iconic work, rare in first edition. This second edition by Saiga 1981 with and extra preface to 2nd ed and appendix by Batty. HB with Mark Marshalls art on the cover DJ 58pp col plates and b/w illust. This copy hasan extra photocopy of the title page of the first edition number 170 signd by Celia marshal, Mark haveing passed before printing.
First edition $1000-1500 2nd ed 100-400 depending on quality
Peachey, Barry F. The Cockfighters 1993 Beech Publishing 138pp HB with DJ. A study of cockfighting in modern times 1991-92. $50-100. Beech Publishing is another Batty imprint.
Batty, J. The Sussex and the Dorking Fowls 1996 Beech Publishing HB with DJ . Format A4+ pp i-xii 1-96. 4 cp b/w illust. An interesting read but the challenge of the title is not well met. However very little specialist on the dorking. $100-150.
Batty, J. Concise Poultry Colour Guide 1996 1st ed Beech Pub. Format A4 small 160pp. Poor quality paperback. 7 collage pages of col plates of breeds, taken from the earlier colour guide. A lot more words in a still paperback which will break if its read a few times. $30-50
Batty, J. Bantams and Small Poultry. Beech Pub. HB no DJ 224pp. 3 pages of colour lifted from The colour Guide. Interesting read, I am not much a judge of the quality of the words. Nicely presented and able to be read. $40 to 80
Burdett, will and Batty Joseph The Orpington Fowl Spur/Beech 1998 HB with DJ Format large A4 168pp 17 full pages of colour plates. Good quality binding. Burdett is well known in English Fancier Circles $150-250
Palin, John. Understanding Japanese Bantams 1980 First ed HD with DJ A5 format, 114pp 4 cp and b/w illustrations. Every Japanese breeder should have a copy. Other editions in PB, poor quality productions I suspect pirate online.
Bergman, Josef. The Peafowl of the World. 1980 Siaga Publications First ed HB with DJ, i-ix, 99pp A4+ format, 16cp plus lots of b/w. Interesting short Bibliography at rear. A great addition to the peafowl breeder. $100-200
Easom Smith, H. Managing Poultry for Exhibition. First ed 1974 HB no dj (on any I have sighted) 67pp b/w illust. Nice gold blocked cloth cover. $50-100
2nd edition 1980 Saiga HB with DJ, i-xi, 1-99pp b/w illust. Expanded size. Like all Easom Smith useful historical information, as long as present medications and techniques are also understood. $80-150.
Ist ed
Coutts, G.S. Poultry Diseases under Modern Management ( 1st published Poultry World 1960) This edition 2nd 1981. HB with DJ. A4 format 245pp A useful dseae management text, nut medications are Uk and also now out of date. $50-100
Entwistle. W.F. Bantams First ed 1894 This edition 1981 A classic reprint in a larger format than the original which did not have the coloured DJ. HB with BJ. A4+ format 116pp. With bookplate from BJ Causby. A collectors piece fro those who cannot afford the original. $100-200
Batty, J, Bantams Ist ed 1981 PB no DK small A5 format paperback. Pp70 with b/w illust and inside front cover colour breed illust. A budget production useful as an introduction to bantams. $20-40
Buchan, James Foreign Birds Exhibition and Management Saiga 1981HB with DJ First ed 166pp. $40-80.
Batty. J Lewis Wright’s Poultry 1983 First ed HB with DJ 130pp 80 cp from Lewis Wright originals. Large A4 format. The Lewis Wright book you have when you cant afford an original of 1817 to 1880. $150-300.
Brown, Edward. Races of Domestic Poultry First ed 1906 Thie edition 1985 Nimrod Book Services (Batty) HB with DJ 234pp A4 format all b/w illustration. Illustrated jacket from A F Lyndon not on original of Brown. Excellent reading in the original or this modern facsimile format. Brown is in my view required reading and his work was prolific. He was substantially responsible for getting the worlds Poultry Congress formed and having world class conferences. $200-300
Fitz-Barnard, Capt L. Fighting Sports Triplegate /Saiga 1983 HB with DJ 292pp. A5 Format 10cp b/w illust. An interesting collection of historic sports, though today politically incorrect, are interesting reading. $100-300
rear dj
Batty, Joseph Old English Game Colour Guide. No details I must have sold my copy.
no pic
Batty, J. The Hamburg Family First ed 2002 small A5 paperback of poor quality read it twice and it will fall apart. 112 pp 4pp of colour (poor quality) I don’t know about the conte t but you can tell a book by its cover, and this unread copy is already falling apart $20.
Batty, Joseph Herbert Atkinson Game Fowl Artist Beech 2006 pp160 hb with jacket It is stitched, and it’s a summary of the Atkinson plates. $50-100
Batty's publications had at this time degraded to a series of low cost poor production books. This list, from the above Game Fowl Artist, is I think a wish list. I never stocked any of them as the quality was so poor, and they were mainly cut and past of other old material. Many of these titles I never saw, the few I did were barely with the freight to get them to Oz. Batty was in educational books and poultry was his hobby so to speak. But difficulties with printers, and financial problems producsed an ever changing publishers name, and a poor reputation. So the quality of content fell, and the quality of production fell. In personal communication, he told me that he never made any money from poultry books, and I am not surprised. I tried it and it’s a tough gig. But better a few with high quality production standards, and high quality authors, than poor on both accounts.
A list in the Game Fowl Artist.
Batty, J. The Ancona Fowl. The Andalusian Fowl Breeds of poultry and their Characteristics, Call Ducks, Cockfighting Poems and Prints, Duck Books, Alesburys, Orpington, Indian Runner, Frizzle Fowl, Garden Poultry Keeping, International Poultry Standards, Japanese Longtail fowl, Jersey Giant Poultry, Khaki Campbell ducks and the Campbells of Unley, Keeping Jungle fowl, Langshan Fowl, The Malay fowl, Marans, Marsh Daisy Fowl, Minorca fowl, Naked Neck Poultry, Natural Incubation and rearing, New Hampshire Reds, Natural Poultry Keping, Old English Game Bantams, Old English Game Colour Guide, The Orloff fowl, Ostrich Farming, Polish Poultry Breeds, Plymouth Rock Poultry, Poultry Ailments, Poultry Characteristics Tails, Poultry Foods and Feeding, Poultry for Beginners, Poultry Shows and showing, Rhode Island Red Fowl, Rosecomb Bantams, Scottish Breeds, Sebright Bantams, Sicilian Poultry Breeds, True Bantams, Welsummer Fowl, Wyandotte Poultry. Some popping up as pirates from Asia.