| 807c |
Duhamel, Jean-Baptiste.
(1623-1706)
Astronomia physica, seu de luce, natura
et motibus corporum celestium. Libri duo. In priori libro de lumine,
& coloribus agitur. In posteriori universa astronomia tum speculatrix,
tum practica physice, & geometrice, citra Euclidis opem demonstatur.
Accessere Petri Petiti observationes aliquot eclipsium solis &
lunae: cum dissertationibus de latitudine luteticae declinatione magnetis,
necnon de novo systemate mundi quod anonymus dudum proposuit
Paris: apud Petrvm Lamy, 1660.
$2,100
Quarto, 6.8x9.3 in. First Edition þ2, *-**4, ***2, i4, A-Z4, Aa-Ee4,
+2, a-h4 The title page has a small floral woodcut vignette. There
are also 31 woodcut figures and tables. This book has been rebound
in modern full calf that has been blind-tooled in period style. The
label on the spine is done in gilt and new end leaves have been bound
in with the text. "In 1660 he [Du Hamel] had published two works
which mark the first stage of his scientific writing. The Physical
Astronomy and On Meteors and Fossils were Latin dialogues between
Theophilus, an adherent of ancient philosophy, Menander, a Cartesian,
and a tertium quid. In the former he maintained that comets were celestial
bodies- all those within the last hundred years had had less parallax
than the moon- and proved that generation and corruption went on in
the heavens as in the air. But he was ready to concede that comets
might be sulphureous exhalations in the ether itself, as thunderbolts
were in the air. He opposed astrology, noting the small size of such
admitted a general influence of the stars, also that of the moon to
a person's natural temperament and aptitude." In this work, "we
see Du Hamel influenced by modern astronomical discovery and chemical
theory, by Cartesianism and the atomic or corpuscular theory, but
with little emphasis upon experimental method, and with the presentation
of both old and new views." (Thorndike VIII, 204-207).
"Although usually designated an anatomist, this distinguished
priest and humanist had in reality no such specialized scientific
interests and indeed owes his fame primarily to the high office that
he held from 1660 to 1697 in the first great French institution....
In Paris, du Hamel completed his studies in rhetoric and philosophy
that he had begun in Caen. He immediately applied his talents to mathematics
at the scholarly institution called Academie Royale, which was being
enlivened by the Jesuits. His short treatise Elementa astronomica
(1643), intended as a primer on astronomy, testifies to his ability....
The works that he published in 1660 and 1663 assure his reputation
and reflect perfectly his scholarly personality. Directed to a lay
audience, these works outlined the then current state of physics and
of philosophical disputes. Their originality lies in the effort to
emphasize what is valuable in the ancients for the moderns, in an
interesting compilation of knowledge in the era following the death
of Descartes." (DSB vol4, 221)
Houzeau & Lancaster 8755
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| 456C |
[du Moulin, Lewis].
(1606-1680)
Rerum Nuper in Regno Scotiæ Gestarum
Historia, Seu verius Commentarius, Causas, occasiones, progressus,
horum motuum breviter & perspicue proponens, simul cum synopsi
concordiæ, quantum hactenus inita est. Excerptus ex scriptis
utiusque partis scitu dignissimis, quorum primaria in Latinum sermonem
nunc primum fideliter translata inseruntur. Addita est Ecclesiæ
Scotiæ ad Helveticas reformatas Epistola, quâ compendio
res tota perspective exhibetur. Per Irenævm Philalethen Eleutherium.
Danzig [i.e. Amsterdam?]: Anno Domini, 1641
$520
Octavo, 6 x 3.5 in. The first edition appeared in 1640; in this variant
of the first edition, the word "Regno" appears in all capital
letters. *4, A-Z8, Aa-Oo8. 590 leaves. This copy is in good condition
internally. It is bound in full contemporary limp parchment, somewhat
stained and worn. Son of Pierre du Moulin (an eminent French Protestant
theologian), Lewis is described as "a nonconformist controversialist"
and, by Wood, as "a fiery, violent, and hotheaded independent,
a cross and ill-natured man." Lewis studied at Leiden and became
a zealous partisan of Cromwell and the Independents, who assisted
him in being appointed Camden professor of history at Oxford. "On
his deathbed, in the presence of Bishop Burnet, he retracted his virulent
attacks on Anglican theologians. [...]
"Moulin also wrote under the pseudonyms 'Christianus Alethocritus,'
'Colvinus Ludiomaeus,' and 'Irenaeus Philadelphus.'" (All citations
DNB)
Shaaber S-286.
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| 349A |
Freund, Marcus. (
? )
Alter und Neuer Zeit- und Wunder-Kalender,
Auff das Jahr nach der Geburt Jesu Christi M. DC. LXXI. …In welchem
nicht nur die vier Jahreszeiten, sambt deroselben Witterung und andern
zufälligen Dingen zu finden, sondern auch Abseitlich die Beschreibung
und Continuation der Schlacht vor Neuport in Flandern, nebenst Beschreibung
der vortrefflichen welt-berühmten Stadt Nürnberg
[bound with] Astrologische Zeit- und Wunder-Practica, In welcher nicht
allein die Beschaffenheit dess Gwitters, und andere contingentische
Sachen … Auff das höchste wunderbare Jahr … M.DC. LXXI.
[bound with] Allmanach auff das Jahr MDCLXXI.
Nuremberg: Endtern, 1671
$400
Quarto, 187 x 154 mm. a-c4, d2; A-C4; A3, B-C4, D2. This copy is in
very good condition. The middle work is moderately browned, but this
is not a serious defect. The first and third works are quite clean,
and printed in red and black throughout. Because they are astrological
calendars, the pages are filled with small typographical images of
astrological symbols. The first and last book are astrological calendars,
and the middle work is a treatise on astrology. Searching through
the Harvard College Library's on line card catalog, I found 31 almanacks
by Marcus Freund, but all of them were written and printed in Sweden
[Swedish]. These, however, were all produced in Germany, and are in
German. Interesting!
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| 829c |
Furetiere, Antoine.
(1619-1688)
Novvelle Allegoriqve ov Histoire des Derniers
Trovbles arrivez au Royaume d'Eloquence. Seconde Edition, reveue &
corrigee.
Paris: chez Pierre Lamy, au Palais au second Pilier de la grand' Salle,
au grand Cefar, 1659.
$650
Duodecimo, . Second Edition a8, A-H12, I6, K3 This book is bound in
red quarter calf over marbled boards. The edges of the leaves are
marbled as well. The spine is gilted. The leaves have some browning
and spotting but nothing that impairs legibility. Well esteemed by
both Racine and Moliere, Furetiere is probably best known for his
Dictionary. His 'Nouvelle Allegoriques,' however, is a fascinating
piece that was first printed in 1658. It describes eloquence, allegory,
and writing is general.
Antoine Furetiere was "a French writer, born in Paris in 1620,
became Abbe of Chalivoy. He was chosen a member of the French Academy
in 1662. In his "Bourgeois Romance" ("Romance Bourgeois,"
1666) he satirized the manners of the middle or inferior class; he
also wrote "The Voyage of Mercery", a satire in verse, (1673).
Having undertaken to compile a Dictionary of the French language while
that of the Academy was in progress, he was accused of plagiarism,
and expelled from the Academy, in 1685. He died in 1688. His Dictionary
was published in 1690, and was received with favor." (Thomas)
Not in Graesse. See vol. 2, 647.
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| 856c |
Fuller, Thomas. (1608-1661)
The History Of The Worthies Of England.
Endeavoured by Thomas Fuller, D.D.
London: Printed by J[ohn]. G[rismond]. W.L. and W[illiam]. G[odbid].,
1662
$1,800
Folio, 8.25x12.75 in. First edition. þ3, B-Z4 (E and K have only three
leaves each), Aa-Zz4 (Bb and Gg have only two leaves each), Aaa4,
Bbb2, Aa-Nn4 (Cc has only two leaves), Oo2, P-T4, Vu-Zz4, Aaa-Yyy4
(Rrr has only two leaves), Aaa-Zzz4, Aaaa-Ffff4, Aaaaa2, Bbbbb-Hhhhh4,
Iiiii2. This copy is complete and collates exactly with the collation
given in the Grolier Club's Wither to Prior. Fuller's engraved portrait
by Loggan is bound opposite the title. This book is bound in tooled
calfskin that has chipped and worn on the corners. The leaves are
slightly browned with some minor spotting but overall in good condition.
"Every page of the text is within double lines at the top and
outer margins, and single lines at the foot and inner margins. The
first part of the work, from Sig. B to L4, is divided into twenty-five
chapters, forming an introduction explanatory of the plan and scope
of the work. The body of the work is then divided into sections representing
all the counties of England and Wales. Under each county is given
a description of its Geography, Natural Commodities, Manufactures,
Buildings, Proverbs, Lists of Lord Mayors, Gentry, and Sheriffs, and
biographies of eminent men under such headings as Princes, Saints,
Martyrs, Confessors, Prelates, Statesmen, Soldiers, etc." (Grolier
Club, Wither to Prior)
"One of the most entrancing folios of the seventeenth century."
(Geoffrey Keynes, Introduction to a Bibliography of Thomas Fuller)
This book is also mentioned in the Maggs catalogue from 1923 entitled
Shakespeare and Shakespeariana. Here is what they said. "On page
126 is found an interesting notice of Shakespeare. This is highly
valuable as being the first biographical notice of the poet. The date
of Shakespeare's death is left blank, and Halliwell-Phillipps remarks
that Fuller, 'was not even at the pains to ascertain the year of the
poet's decease.'" (quoted from the description of item no. 477
in Maggs catalogue 434)
"William Shakespeare was born at Stratford-on-Avon in this county,
in whom three eminent poets may seem in some sort to be compounded:
I. Martial in the the warlike sound of his surname, whence some may
conjecture him of a military extraction hasti-vibrans or Shakespeare.-2.
Ovid, the most naturall and witty of all poets, and hence it was that
Queen Elizabeth, coming into a grammar-school made this contemporary
verse, 'Persius a crab-staffe, bawdy martial, Ovid a fine wag.'-3.
Plautus, who was an exact comedian, yet never any scholar, as our
Shakespeare, if alive, would confess himself, etc. He died anno Domini
16-, and was buried at Stratford-upon-Avon, the town of his nativity."
(quoted from Fuller's Worthies, 126)
Wing F-2440, CH, CN, LC, MU, NP, Y; Grolier's Wither to Prior, no.
390; Gibson & Keynes XXX III(1); Pforzheimer 391.
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| 837c |
Geiler von Kaysersberg,
Johann. (1445-1510)
Nauicula penitentie. Per excellentissimum
sacre Pagine doctorem Joannem Keyserspergium Argentinensium Concionatorem
Predicata. A Jacobo Otthero Collecta. Ecce ascendimus hierosolimam.
[Augsburg: Johannes Otmar locatis expensis per Georgium Diemar, 1511]
$7,500
Folio, 10.8 x 7.75 in. First Latin edition. F6 A8 B6 C8 d6 e8 f6 g8
h-k6 L-M6. 80 leaves; complete. This volume features a magnificent,
nearly full-page woodcut by Burgkmair on the title-page; the hand-colored,
ornate work depicts Geiler on a ship's stern preaching to the penitential
passengers. The title page and the first leaf of text are printed
in red and black. The initial on the first leaf of text is supplied
by the rubricator in red . All other initials are supplied in red
throughout the text. This copy is bound in contemporary limp vellum
. A celebrated German pulpit orator, Geiler von Kaysersberg was one
of the most celebrated humanists of his era, along with Erasmus, Wimpfeling,
and others. As a secular priest, he fought the ecclesiastical abuses
of his age, looking to "salvation and preservation only in the
restoration of Christian morals in Church and state, through the faithful
maintenance of the doctrines of the Church." (CE)
Geiler's importance in literature must be judged by his impact on
the history of the development of the Catholic sermon in its relation
to purely literary (secular) history. Widely read in theology as well
as the secular literature of his day, and closely associated with
the humanists of Strasburg, Geiger preached at the cathedral in Strasburg
for more than 30 years, a position specially created for him by the
cathedral chapter, the bishop, and city authorities.
He often yielded "to the coarseness of his age. [...] A man of
austere morality, he never failed to show an apostolic courage towards
both high and low, and exhibited an extraordinary daring in fighting
vice and degeneracy of morals. Hence his works are an important source
for the history of the civilization of these degenerate times. [...
Because in his oratory] his thoughts were expressed in the language
of ordinary life, [...] posterity possesses, in Geiler's writings,
an enduring source for the knowledge of the speech, customs, and beliefs
of the common people at the beginning of the sixteenth century."
(Ibid.)
"The spirit of mammon [riches or material wealth, see Mat. 6:24;
Luke 16:9, 11, 13] had won such an ascendancy in the Curia that Pope
Clement VII, for example, at the very height of the Reformation storm,
was trying to make money from the sale of the Cardinals' hats. It
is against this background that we must understand the denunciation
of the great Catholic preacher Geiler von Kaisersberg: 'It is no longer
the Holy Ghost who appoints the rulers of the Church, but the devil,
and for money, for favour and by bribery of the Cardinals." (The
Roots of The Reformation, Karl Adam)
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| 831c |
Gacon, Francois. (1667-1725)
Le Poete Sans Fard. Contenant, Satires,
Epitres & Epigrames, sur toutes sortes de sujets.
Libreville [i.e. Rouen] : Chez Paul, disant
vray, a l'Enseigne du Miroir qui ne flate pointe, 1698.
$400
Quarto, 3.4x5.6 in. Second Edition, First with this title. þ, a6,
A-S6, T3, A, *6 There are a ridiculous number of decorative printers
ornaments throughout the text, satirizing the book business. This
book is bound in worn contemporary sheepskin with a gilted spine.
The corners are worn through and the boards underneath are visible.
The pages have some minor spotting not impairing legibilty. This book
was first published under the title "Discours Satiriques en Vers"
in 1696. The second edition contains new material. This entire book
is done in satirical form, including the title page which mocks the
traditional format with a fake imprint. Gacon's name does not appear
anywhere in this book, though it is commonly known that he was the
author. In this book he denounces the hypocrasy, cupidity, and corruption
of his time.
Francois Gacon was "a French satirical poet, born at Lyon in
1667. He is known for attacking some eminent authors of the day, "-among
others, Boileau and Bossuet. He produced a French version of Anacreon,
beside satires, odes, and other poems." (Thomas)
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