Beschreibung:

CARDANO, Girolamo (1501-1576). De Subtilitate Libri XXI . Nuremberg: Johann Petreius, 1550. 2 o (312 x 200 mm). Collation: A-C 4 D 6 a-z 4 aa-yy 4 zz 6. 204 leaves, paginated. Roman type, italic marginalia. Woodcut printer's device on title, woodcut portrait of the author on title verso, numerous woodcut illustrations and illustrations in text. (Some staining to title with gutter margin renewed and other restoration, a few marginal repairs, some staining and soiling at beginning and end.) Modern vellum (somewhat bowed). FIRST EDITION OF CARDANO'S MOST CELEBRATED WORK. This encyclopaedia of natural science "was the most advanced presentation of physical knowledge up to its time" (Norman). It contains a wide variety of subjects and facts, both real and imaginary, which include: cosmology, the construction of machines, the laws of mechanics, cryptology, alchemy, and various brances of the occult. De subtilitate went through many editions in the sixteenth century, and as well numerous editions of the French translation. A supplement to De subtilitate was published in 1557, entitled De rerum varietate , and was equally popular in its day (see below). Adams C-688; BM/STC German p. 182; Dibner Heralds of Science 139; Duveen pp. 116-117; Norman 401. [ With :] CARDANO, Girolamo. De rerum varietate libri XVII . Basel: Heinrich Petri, 1557. 8 o (171 x 115 mm). Woodcut portrait of the author on title verso, 3 folding woodcuts (including one folding table), numerous woodcut illustrations in text. (Lacking signature EE, some dampstaining at beginning.) Eighteenth-century half mottled calf, spine gilt, marbled boards. Provenance : Joannes Mathaeus ?Standerus (deleted signature on title page); Joannes Labas ("Ex Bibliotheca Ioannis Labas", ink stamp on title). First octavo edition of Cardano's supplement to De subtilitate , published the same year as the first folio edition. Imperfect copy. BM/STC German p. 182; See Dibner Heralds of Science 139 note; Norman 402. (2)