1582 Della Fisica

Description

First Edition, Leather Binding, Very Scarce

The first edition of this very scarce work.

In the original Italian.

Bound without the rear endpaper, title page, and the woodcut portrait, which was printed to the verso of the title page. All other leaves are present.

Register runs as a2-a8, b8, A-Aa8, Bb4. 

Leonardo Fioravanti's study on a variety of scientific fields, a fascinating insight into sixteenth century understanding of science.

In this work, Fiorvanti explores botany, medicine, and alchemy. In the final part of the work, which is dedicated to alchemy, Fioravanti discuses "the true order to make the philosopher's stone". Also of interest are his passages in which he discusses the American colonies, and a variety of indigenous products, such as tobacco. 

Fioravanti was a noted doctor, surgeon, and alchemist, who played a role in transforming medicine into a scientific branch, rather than the Middle Ages practice of the guild of barbers. He was a controversial figure who made great innovations in the medical field, such as the prevention of diseases, and, one a journey back from one of the last Crusades, learnt the technique of reconstructing the nose from the Vianeos brothers in Calabria.