Obeliscus Pamphilius…
1650. Engraved allegorical frontis., engraved port. of Pope Innocent X, large folding engraved plate of the obelisk, 5 full-page engravings & many illus. in the text. [66], 560, [30] pp. Folio (318 x 217 mm.), cont. Dutch vellum over boards, arabesques in blind on center of each cover. Rome: Ludovici Grignani, 1650.
First edition of Kircher’s first account of his theory and method for the translation of Egyptian hieroglyphs. The Pamphili Obelisk, covered with hieroglyphs, had been erected by emperor Domitian, and later seized by Maxentius to place at the center of his circus. The Earl of Arundel made efforts to export the obelisk to London, however, this was blocked by Pope Urban VIII. Urban’s successor, Innocent X, recruited Kircher (1602-80) and Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) to install the obelisk in the Piazza Navona, where it can be found today. The latter designed a fountain – now called the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi –that serves as the foundation for the obelisk.
The frontispiece is signed by C. Bloemaert, and the large folding plate (440 x 702 mm.), while unsigned, is probably the work of the same or possibly Petrus Miotte Burgundus, who is responsible for at least one of the illustrations in the text.
“Obeliscus pamphilius is Kircher’s first complete exposition of his principles for translating Egyptian hieroglyphics. The work was occasioned by his commission under Pope Innocent X to study and restore the fallen obelisk the pope was reerecting in front of the Palazzo Pamfili. The obelisk was actually restored by Gian Lorenzo Bernini under Kircher’s direction. In this work Kircher maintains the symbolic method of interpretation he hinted at earlier… Like most of Kircher’s works, this book is filled with fascinating arcana, and Kircher’s interpretations of Egyptian mythology and lore are of particular interest”–B. Merrill, Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680): Jesuit Scholar (1989), no. 9.
A fine copy in a contemporary binding. Ownership inscription of Michael Richey (1678-1761), German historian, scholar of Greek, and professor at the Hamburg Gymnasium on title-page.
Price: $22,500.00
Item ID: 10629
