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Cardano's Second Great Encyclopedia of Natural Science
CARDANO, Girolamo. De Rerum Varietate Libri XVII. Fine medallion woodcut port. of the author on title, numerous woodcut illus. in the text, & a woodcut plate illustrating a volvelle inserted at p. 438. Tables in the text. 6 p.l., 707, [32] pp. Thick folio, cont. blind-stamped panelled pigskin over wooden boards (binding a little soiled, minor foxing here & there), orig. clasps & catches. Basel: [H. Petri], 1557. [bound with]: NIGER, Dominicus Marius. Geographiae Commentariorum Libri XI...Una cum Laurentii Corvini Novoforensis Geographia. Et Strabonis Epitome per D. Hieronymum Gemusaeum translata. Woodcut printer's device on title & another version on verso of final leaf. 48 p.l., 787, [1] pp. Folio. Basel: [H. Petri, 1557].
A very attractive sammelband of two important works in a handsome contemporary blind-stamped panelled pigskin binding over wooden boards. I. First edition of Cardano's second great encyclopedia of natural science; it is a continuation and supplement to his De Rerum Subtilitate (1st ed.: 1550). These two works contain his important ideas on physics and metaphysics. In this book, Cardano made notable contributions to mechanics, hydrodynamics, and geology and there are interesting chapters on astronomy, botany, zoology, chemistry, metallurgy, etc. "Of special chemical interest is Book X (p. 375-410), comprising one chapter on fire...a chapter on distillation with woodcuts of apparatus, and a chapter on chemistry. It finishes by a chapter on glass."Duveen, p. 117. II. First edition of this rare and massive geography. Niger, of Venice, wrote his "Geography" in 26 books, 11 on Europe, 11 on Africa, and 4 on Asia. This first edition contains the commentary of Wolfgang Weissenburger. The text was used by Hakluyt and Holinshed. Nice fresh copies. Signature of "Lud. Romanus. 1580" on title. I. D.S.B., III, pp. 64-67. Partington, II, pp. 9-15. Thorndike, V, pp. 563-79. Wheeler Gift Cat. 45.
23500.0000