Lot n° 188
Estimation :
400 - 600
EUR
Result without fees
Result
: 650EUR
Antique book. KIRCHER (Athanasius). *Arca Noë, in tres libro - Lot 188
Antique book. KIRCHER (Athanasius). *Arca Noë, in tres libros digesta*. Amsterdam, Jan Jansson van Waesberge, 1675. Folio, speckled calfskin, decorated spine, smooth edges (contemporary binding). First edition of the last work—and one of the rarest, according to Dorbon—by the Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher (1602–1680), an eminent Orientalist and encyclopedic scholar of the Baroque era. The work, dedicated to the young King Charles II of Spain, is entirely devoted to the biblical story of the Flood and Noah’s Ark. A very beautiful and intriguing set of intaglio engravings, including a lovely allegorical frontispiece, a portrait of the dedicatee, and 14 (out of 19) separate plates and maps—often spread across two pages or fold-outs—in addition to a full-page copperplate (p. 237) and about a hundred figures in the text, engraved on copper or wood, depicting mainly animals. Some copper engravings, such as the portrait of Charles II of Spain, are signed by Coenraet Decker. Incomplete copy, missing 5 plates (pp. 28, 38, 116, 122, 126). Foxing, sometimes pronounced, and a few browned leaves. Marginal tear with no loss on p. 57. A small, repaired tear in the margin of a plate on p. 226. Binding is worn; the upper box is missing; the joints are split; the corners are worn; there is rubbing and minor wear on the leather. Merrill, no. 26 – Caillet, II, no. 5768 – Dorbon, no. 2376 – Sommervogel, IV, 1046, no. 33 – Nissen, ZBI, no. 2195 – Brunet, III, 666. Appraised by: Librairie Giraud Badin, Paris.
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