Title: Les Occultes Merveilles et Secretz de Nature A Rare, 1574. On Occult Secrets, Demonic Illnesses, Healing Gems, and More
Author: Levinus Lemnius; Translated by Jacques Gohory
Publisher: Paris, pour Galliot du Pre
Condition: Very Good
A rare, late 16th century edition of Lemnius’s Occult Marvels and Secrets of Nature, with Several Teachings on Various Things, Both by Probable Reason and by Artificial Conjecture. This is the French translation by Jacques de Gohory, after the original 1559 Latin imprint.
An early edition of this famous book of secrets, Lemnius collects a tremendous selection of various medical problems and seeks out cures, through both medical and natural lore. Sources and information are drawn from ancient Greek, Hebrew, Arab, and Latin sources, presented and commented on in a rather haphazard fashion.
Among some of the topics touched upon are those on somnambulists, diseases caused by demons, the virtue of gems or herbs, hermaphrodites, and much more.
The work was immediately popularized and spread throughout the region, seeing numerous reprints over the decades, with an English edition being printed in the mid 17th century.
A learned student under Dodoens, Gessner, and Vesalius, Lemnius was a well-trained Dutch physician after 40 years of practicing his work, and remained pragmatic at the core, relying on conventional medicine and treatments instead of any astronomical or occult practices.
The title page is lacking, with an early (likely 17th century) handwritten copy added. Leave 168 is also lacking, replaced by a photocopy tipped in, though it appears to be one from a different edition.
USTC records 22 existing copies of this edition in libraries.
One finely bound volume in 12mo, 210 of 212+(20) leaves
This volume is in very good shape, with minimal rubbing and wear to the binding. There is some wear to the first and last handful of leaves, with some foxing and staining throughout, again, heavier to the first and last handful of leaves. There are a few, tiny, marginal restorations.