Ian Ehling
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Lot 108
VESALIUS, ANDREAS. 1514-1564. De humani corporis fabrica libri septem. Basel: Johannes Oporinus, August 1555.
10 December 2020, 11:00 EST
New YorkSold for US$40,312.50 inc. premium
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VESALIUS, ANDREAS. 1514-1564.
De humani corporis fabrica libri septem. Basel: Johannes Oporinus, August 1555.
Folio (405 x 274 mm). 441 leaves and 2 folding sheets. Roman and italic types, occasional use of Greek and Hebrew types, printed shoulder notes. Woodcut dedicatory title showing Vesalius lecturing from the dissection table, portrait of Vesalius, about 200 woodcut text illustrations, 23 full-page, and two folding plates; numerous historiated initials. 17th century paneled calf, spine gilt with raised bands, rebacked, old spine laid down. Folding leaves X1 partially restored in pen facsimile, bb6-7 skillfully restored, some light dampstaining and minor worming.
Second edition, especially significant because it includes the author's final additions and corrections. These include Vesalius's rejection of the Galenic teaching that there are pores in the ventricular septum of the heart. This anatomical fact was significant for Harvey's ultimate discovery of the circulation. This publication is "even more lavish than the first" (Heirs of Hippocrates) with the woodcut title recut (now with a previously naked person on the left dressed) and a new set of woodcut initials. It was printed on heavier paper with larger type (49 instead of 50 lines to the page). First published in 1543 when the author was only 29 years old, the Fabrica revolutionized not only the science of anatomy but how it was taught. Throughout this encyclopedic work on the structure and workings of the human body, Vesalius provided a fuller and more detailed description of the human anatomy than any of his predecessors, correcting errors in the traditional anatomical teachings of Galen. Even more epochal than his criticism of Galen and other ... authorities was Vesalius's assertion that the dissection of cadavers must be performed by the physician himself. As revolutionary as the contents of the Fabrica and the anatomical discoveries which it published, was its unprecedented blending of scientific exposition, art and typography" (Garrison-Morton-Norman). Adams V-605; Choulant-Frank, pp 181-82; Cushing VI.A.-3; Garrison-Morton-Norman 377; Durling 4579; Norman 2139; Osler 568; Waller 9901; Wellcome I, p 6562.
Folio (405 x 274 mm). 441 leaves and 2 folding sheets. Roman and italic types, occasional use of Greek and Hebrew types, printed shoulder notes. Woodcut dedicatory title showing Vesalius lecturing from the dissection table, portrait of Vesalius, about 200 woodcut text illustrations, 23 full-page, and two folding plates; numerous historiated initials. 17th century paneled calf, spine gilt with raised bands, rebacked, old spine laid down. Folding leaves X1 partially restored in pen facsimile, bb6-7 skillfully restored, some light dampstaining and minor worming.
Second edition, especially significant because it includes the author's final additions and corrections. These include Vesalius's rejection of the Galenic teaching that there are pores in the ventricular septum of the heart. This anatomical fact was significant for Harvey's ultimate discovery of the circulation. This publication is "even more lavish than the first" (Heirs of Hippocrates) with the woodcut title recut (now with a previously naked person on the left dressed) and a new set of woodcut initials. It was printed on heavier paper with larger type (49 instead of 50 lines to the page). First published in 1543 when the author was only 29 years old, the Fabrica revolutionized not only the science of anatomy but how it was taught. Throughout this encyclopedic work on the structure and workings of the human body, Vesalius provided a fuller and more detailed description of the human anatomy than any of his predecessors, correcting errors in the traditional anatomical teachings of Galen. Even more epochal than his criticism of Galen and other ... authorities was Vesalius's assertion that the dissection of cadavers must be performed by the physician himself. As revolutionary as the contents of the Fabrica and the anatomical discoveries which it published, was its unprecedented blending of scientific exposition, art and typography" (Garrison-Morton-Norman). Adams V-605; Choulant-Frank, pp 181-82; Cushing VI.A.-3; Garrison-Morton-Norman 377; Durling 4579; Norman 2139; Osler 568; Waller 9901; Wellcome I, p 6562.