A later edition of Italian scholar Lucio Bellanti's work in support of astrology. Originally published in 1498 in Florence in response to Pico della Mirandola's critique of astrology, Bellanti's work sets out arguments in favor of astrology as a legitimate science using the scholastic method. The work was republished several times, including an edition in Venice from 1502, and the Basel edition offered here. Thorndike states: "Bellantius cited Aquinas and Scotus in support of astrology, but censured various past astrological writers such as the Arabic astrologers, Albumasar and Haly, Abraham Judaeus, and the Latin, Guido Bonatti. This censure was partly on Christian grounds but perhaps shared a little the current humanistic aversion for Arabic and medieval learning (Thorndike IV, 541)". Included is a similar work by Gabriele Pirovano in the form of a dialogue that was first published in 1507. Folio (31 x 20cm), [vi], 302pp., [ii]. Printer's device on verso of last leaf. Ownership inscription on title-page. Slightly toned with a few spots of foxing throughout. Very small wormholes to a some leaves, small stain to title-page. Bound in contemporary vellum using an antique manuscript. Some wear, soiling, and slight worming to binding.
An apparently uniquely surviving portfolio of paper samples by the now defunct Minneapolis Paper Company, exhibiting the great diversity and beautiful artistic design of their products. Founded in 1889, the company, often referred to as Empeco, was a major supplier of paper products until they were bought out in 1945. The portfolio offered here is interesting not simply as a example of their diverse products, but includes numerous paper samples with fine Art Deco lettering or images printed onto the samples. It appears that some of the samples included were made for specific customers while others appear to be generic designs. Aside from the many colors and textures of non-pictorial samples, there are instances of tourist brochures, insurance company advertisements, menus, book-covers, and many more. The quality of the paper has held up remarkably well over the years and looks and feels as if it were just manufactured yesterday. Bound in oblong cloth covers and measuring 27.5 x 18cm. 164 leaves of card stock of varying thickness printed on rectos only. Wear and soiling to binding. A splendid collection.
First and only edition by the great Genevan printer Henri Estienne about the Frankfurt Fair which he attended in person. In a series of compositions, Estienne lauds the hospitality of the local people, the genius of the Germans, the quality of the wares for sale, and the many scholarly personages who attended from across Europe. The fair, in addition to having vendors selling books, offered goods as varied as horses, food, clothing, and weapons to an international market. It provided an ideal opportunity for the publisher to both court potential authors for his publishing house and to advertise his own books. Besides his encomium of the fair, Estienne includes a number of his other works and translations in the book. Despite the interesting subject matter, Estienne never reprinted this book and it was not republished until the Caxton Club edition of 1911 in Chicago. 8vo (17 x 10.5cm), [vi], 31pp., [i], 120pp. Title-page toned with foxing, small ownership inscription, ink spot to second leaf; toned throughout with occasional light foxing, small corner tear to Fii with no loss, last couple leaves with moderate marginal damp-staining, verso of last leaf a bit more soiled than the rest. Bound in modern vellum, new endpapers. [Adams S1768; Renouard Estienne, 139:2; Schreiber Estienne, 189; Simon, Bibliotheca Bacchia II, 235]
The rare first edition of Hugh Peter's last will and testament to his daughter, including brief autobiographical accounts of his work in New England. Peter left England at an early age and served as a Puritan-leaning minister, first with an English community in Rotterdam, and then with the newly established Puritan community in Salem. He arrived in Boston in 1635 and played an important role in the fledgling colonies. He advocated for the banishment of Anne Hutchinson (1591-1643) in the Antinomian Controversy; assisted in the founding of Connecticut; and appeared to have a hand in the early years of Harvard College. Peter returned to England in 1641 and became embroiled in that nation's politics, eventually being tried for treason and executed under Charles II in 1660. 12mo (14.5 x 8.5cm), engraved frontispiece portrait, title-page, [iv], 122pp. Frontispiece leaf detached but present, browned throughout, some light damp-staining, some edge-wear, antique ink annotations on last page, owner's inscription to rear endpapers. Bound in contemporary calf, rebacked with morocco strip, some wear. A very rare book - the last copy to appear at auction was in 1984. [Sabin 61191]
The first Latin edition of a work written against the Council of Trent and published in the aftermath of the Council of Naumburg held in 1561. The purpose of the Naumberg Council was to bring about unity among the various Protestant denominations which had multiplied and moved further apart since the time of Luther; in addition, the Council responded to the Council of Trent's doctrine and reaffirmed its commitment to the doctrines of the Augsburg Confession of 1530. Most of the book responds to and refutes Catholic principles and dogmas point by point. An interesting appendix in the work, taken from the Catholic publication 'Taxa Sacrae Poenitentiariae, is a list of indulgences with their object and price. Although Pope Pius IV held out hope that the Protestants of Germany would return to the Catholic Church and accept the Tridentine decrees, the Council of Naumberg, summed up in the work offered here, made it clear that this would not happen. A German edition must have preceded this one as there is a translator mentioned on the title-page, but I could not find a copy of the German edition in any bibliographical records. Large 8vo (20.5 x 14.5cm), [xiv], 470pp., [xlii]. A few marginal repairs on title-page, ownership stamp and small stain to title, other light damp-stains occasionally touching margins throughout, extensive antique marginalia. Bound in near-contemporary blind-tooled calf with lozenges on covers and border designs, binding with some wear.
Letter signed by St. Vincent de Paul with the ten-line postscript in his hand. The letter is addressed to Jacques Pesnelle, the Superior in Genoa, Italy. It touches upon several topics regarding the governance of the community. In response to Pesnelles practice of hosting one-day retreats versus longer ones, de Paul states: Since God is not dependent on time, He sometimes grants more graces in one day than in eight. And as for the Rules of the Order, he mentions that many minor details are not included in the Rules, but in answer to time that should be allowed in the outdoor garden, recommends the custom prevalent in his own community. It is interesting to note that his letter was written only a year after the first edition publication of the official Rules of the order, and so questions regarding details not included in the book would only be natural at this stage. This specific manuscript is no. 2935 in volume 8 of the Correspondence edited by Coste. 4 pages. 16 x 11.5cm. Paper lightly toned, wax seal of the community intact, some worming to the paper affecting letters but still allowing for a comprehension of the sense of the text. A full translation available upon request.
The first Latin edition of a number of Paracelsus' writings translated from German by one of Paracelsus' most avid advocates of the 16th century, Gerhard Dorn. Dorn rescued a number of Paracelsus' manuscripts and by translating and having them published into Latin ensured a wider readership. Dorn's work in alchemy also garnered the attention of Carl Jung who quotes him frequently. The book offered here includes Dorn's translation of 'Der Grosse Wundartzney', first published in 1536. The work marks Paracelsus' foray into the art of surgery and treatment of various wounds such as animal bites, burns, broken bones, gunshots wounds, etc. Two other works follow: the second Latin printing of 'De contracturis' and the first Latin printing of 'De apostematibus', which includes numerous recipes for various ailments. The last two leaves of the index are printed out of order but are complete. 8vo (16 x 10cm), [xiv], 299pp., [iv]. Occasional damp-staining to the leaves at the end of the work, small tear to top corner of second and third leaf without loss, signature G a bit loose. Bound in contemporary vellum, soiled. [Adams P-268 (dating the work to 1575); NLM/Durling 3485; Wellcome I, 4766.]