Fludd, Robert Utriusque cosmi maioris scilicet... Lot n° 1457

Fludd, Robert Utriusque cosmi maioris scilicet et minoris metaphysica atque technica historia in duo volumina secundum cosmi differentiam divisa. Tomus primus: De Macrocosmi Historia in duos tractatus divisa. 2 Tle. in 1 Vol. With 2 engraved. Titles, 8 double- resp. overleaf copper plates (3 of them paginated), ca. 265 partly full-page copper plates (2 of them paginated). Engravings (2 of which with pagination) mostly by Matthäus Merian, numerous culs-de-lamp in wood engravings as well as wood engraved initials. Oppenheim, H. Galler for T. de Bry, 1617 (tl. 1) u. Frankfurt, C. Rötel for T. De Bry, 1624 (tl. 2). 186 p., pp. 191-206, 5 ll. - 788 p., 5 ll. 4°. Pgt. d. Zt. with blind-stamped cover fil. with corner fleurons a. centerpiece and new bindings (rubbed, scuffed, dusty a. stained. spine restored). "Vol. 2 in second, Vol. 1 in first edition. Volume I of Fludd's collected works. - With 2 engr. titles, 8 double-page or oversize copper plates, ca. 265 partly full-page copper engravings mainly by Matthäus Merian and numerous woodcuts. - Robert Fludd (1574-1637) was one of the most important scholars of his time. Based on Paracelsus and strongly influenced by the Kabbalah and the late Platonists, he created a natural philosophical, anti-Aristotelian system that was highly regarded in occult circles. The work deals with various areas of the natural sciences such as arithmetic, astrology, fortification, geometry, cosmography, as well as painting, music, time calculation, etc.. The finely executed engravings by M. Merian the Elder with illustrations of a small map of Europe, sundial, angle measurement, machines, musical notes, optics, fortresses, etc.. - Contemporary vellum with blind-tooling (rubbed and shaved, dusty and stained. Spine restored). - Pp. 187-190 of part I missing. First 4 leaves and further 4 leaves with erased note at margin (thus stained and partly with traces of moisture). P. 552 with some mildew at lower margin. Copperplate on p. 200 of part I printed upside down. Pp. 79-82 with marginal tear, one copper with backed tear. Both mirrors restored. Differently browned. - ""A most curious work of an encyclopedical character by the famous Rosicrucian, adorned by remarkable engravings"" (Duveen 222)." Thorndike VII, 439. Wellcome I, 2324a. Ferguson I, 283; Graesse, 607; Houzeau/L. I, 2925 u. 2926. Wüthrich, Merian II, 66 I/II. - Mixed edition. Tl. 2 in second, Tl. 1 in first edition. Volume I of the large collected edition of Fludd's works, as often without vol. II (compare Graesse). - Robert Fludd (1574-1637) was one of the most important scholars of his time. Based on Paracelsus and strongly influenced by the Kabbalah and the late Platonists, he created a natural philosophical, anti-Aristotelian system that was highly regarded in occult circles. The work deals with various fields of natural science such as arithmetic, astrology, fortification, geometry, cosmography, as well as painting, music, chronology, etc. The finely executed engravings of M. Merian the Elder with illustrations of a small map of Europe, sundial, angle measurement, machines, musical notes, optics, fortresses, etc. - pp. 187-190 (tl. 1) missing. First 4 ll. and further 4 ll. with erased note at margin (thus spotted a. partly with traces of humidity). P. 552 with mildew at lower margin. Copperplate on p. 200 of tl. 1 printed upside down. Isolated fol. with marginal tears, pp. 79-82 with marginal tear, one copper with backed tear. Both mirrors restored. Differently browned. Isolated pages a little bit trimmed. - On the whole fine copy of this most curious work of encyclopedic character, adorned with wonderful engravings.