Text in double columns. Woodcut initials & woodcut device on last page. 124 leaves. Folio, modern binding using old vellum boards with new spine, corners, & endpapers (several small diminishing wormholes in the first few leaves, lower blank corner of title-page damaged & neatly restored). Venice: Giunta, 1521.

Sixth edition (the first five are all incunables) of the Practica or Lilium medicinae, the principal work of one of the medical luminaries of the Middle Ages. Bernard of Gordon (ca. 1258-1318), of Scottish descent but born in France, was a professor at Montpellier from 1283 to 1307. He spent his entire teaching career at Montpellier and... More

4 p.l., xix, 164 pp. 8vo, cont. mottled calf by John Brindley, single gilt fillet round sides, the four corners of each cover elaborately gilt with Brindley’s characteristic dolphins surmounted by crowns within circular wreaths, spine divided into six compartments, five of which with the golden fleece device in gilt, green morocco lettering piece in remaining compartment. London: J. Brindley, 1728.

First edition; an extraordinary “illuminated” copy with the title-page, initials, and section headings all heightened in gold, and bound by John Brindley, bookbinder to Frederick, Prince of Wales and Queen Caroline. The initials along with the vignettes and typographical ornaments... More

1 p.l., x, 133, [2] pp. Small 8vo, cont. half-sheep & paste-paper boards, spine richly gilt. Paris: la Veuve d’Houry, 1744.

First edition of this account of Minorca, one of the Spanish Balearic islands in the Mediterranean. In the first half of the book Passerat (1707-84), councillor to the King and military physician, describes the island’s geography, natural resources, climate, the inhabitants, and their diets. In the second half, he provides details on the diseases common to the population. There are also sections on the benefits of the mineral waters of the island.

A very fine copy from the ducal Starhemberg library at Schloss Eferding in one of their characteristic bindings. More

20 unnumbered leaves. Small 4to, attractive antique calf-backed marbled boards, spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine, many lower edges uncut. Breslau: C. Scharffenberg, 1555.

First edition and very rare; WorldCat lists only the NLM copy outside of Germany (and it is rare inside Germany). Spremberger (1511-77), took his degree at Wittenberg and served as personal physician to the provincial governor in Spremberg.

Breslau suffered frequently from plagues in the 16th century. Spremberger provides a history of the various plagues and describes the most recent plague of 1553 in great detail. He makes a number of recommendations on how to isolate... More