Caesius, Bernardus and Francisco Mateo Fernandez Bejarano | Two first editions related to mineralogy

Caesius, Bernardus

Mineralogia, sive naturalis philosophiae thesauri. Lyons: J. & P. Prost, 1636. [With:] Fernandez Bejarano, [Francisco Mateo]. Super quatuor libros meteororum Aristotelis philosophorum principis quaestiones. Lyons: P. Prost, 1643

Two works in one volume, folio (355 x 225 mm). (1): Half-title, title printed in red and black with engraved vignette, engraved headpieces, tailpieces, and initials, text printed in single and double columns; a few stray spots and faint stains. (2):Title printed in red and black with engraved vignette, engraved headpieces, tailpieces, and initials, text printed in single and double columns, in-text illustrations and diagrams; a few stray spots, some light browning; one or two creases, repair to lower margin if Yy1. Contemporary vellum boards, covers ruled and paneled with central ornament in blind, spine with raised bands in six compartments, first with manuscript title, second with shelfmark, edges stained black; corners rubbed and bumped with minor loss, some soiling.

Two first editions. Caesius's work is "chiefly valuable as a storehouse of all that was known on the subject of della Porta, including copious references to the ancient writers and the church fathers. It contains also much of chemical interest... Of special interest is a chapter on the Magnet... Another chapter treats of the philosopher's stone" (Sotheran, First Supplement, 4733 & 4734).

REFERENCES

(1): Neville I:255; Sinkankas 1221. (2): Palau 88088

PROVENANCE

Sotheby's London, 1 December 1994, lot 486