CAMERARIUS, Joachim.
Symbolorum & emblematum ex re herbaria desumtorum centuria una.
Frankfurt am Main, Johann Wilhelm Ammon, 1661.
With:
(2) IDEM. Symbolorum & emblematum et animalibus quadrupedibus desumtorum centuria altera.
Frankfurt am Main, Johann Wilhelm Ammon, 1661.
(3) IDEM. Symbolorum & emblematum ex volatilibus et insectis desumtorum centuria tertia.
Frankfurt am Main, Johann Wilhelm Ammon, 1654.
(4) CAMERARIUS, Joachim and Ludwig CAMERARIUS. Symbolorum et emblematum ex aquatilibus et reptilibus desumtorum centuria quarta.
Heidelberg, Ludwig Bourgeat, 1664. 4 works in 1 volume. 4to. Each work with an engraved title page, 100 round engraved emblems (a total of 400), and numerous woodcut initials. (Near) contemporary overlapping vellum, sewn on 4 supports laced through the joints, with a beige leather title label lettered in gold on the spine. 102 (the first ll. after the title page paginated 1-6); 103, [1 blank]; 104, [1 blank]; 100, [1], [1 blank] ll.
€ 7,500
Complete collection of Camerarius' beautiful emblem book, containing 400 emblems. The present copy appears to contain a re-issue of the second complete edition (published in 1654) and here with the altered date (1661) on the title pages. Nevertheless, the present complete Symbolorum & emblematum collection is made up of the 4 volumes in 3 different editions: the first two in the 1661 re-issue, volume 3 of the 1654 second complete edition, and volume 4 in a practically unknown edition dated 1664, published by Bourgeat in Heidelberg.
This work by Camerarius was the first to treat the subject of natural history in emblematic form. Each emblem has its own title above and a short motto beneath the illustration, an extensive explanation can be found on the facing page, these explanations are influenced by Renaissance hieroglyph studies, Camerarius knowledge of nature based on Plinius and other classical scholars, the author's own experience as a botanist, and on contemporary authors like Conrad Gesner and others.
The Symbolorum & emblematum can be considered "a milestone in the application of natural history in emblems ..." (Emblems and the natural world Leiden, Brill, 2017). Joachim Camerarius the Younger (1534-1598) was a German botanist, zoologist, and humanist scholar.
With a large armorial bookplate mounted on the front pastedown, and an illegible manuscript inscription on the engraved title page of ad 1. The binding is slightly (dust) soiled and shows a few (ink) stains, 6 leaves with marginal repair to paper, some minor browning to the top edge, slightly affecting the head margin throughout but never affecting text or emblem, some occasional light foxing and browning. Otherwise in good condition. Adams C448; Faber du Faur, 668; Folger IV, p. 350; Henkel & Schöne, Emblemata, pp. xxxviii-xxxix; Hunt, 181; Krivatsy, 2066; Landwehr, German emblem books, 167 (ad 3) and 169 (ads 1 & 2); Manning, The Emblem, p. 120; Nissen BBI 312; Nissen ZBI 792 & 793; Praz, pp. 295-296; USTC 2567143 (ad 1, 6 copies), 2567135 (ad 2, 4 copies), 2635767 (ad 3, 3 copies); 2808385 (ad 4, 2 copies); VD17 23:278138E (general), VD17 23:278133S (ad 1, 7 copies), VD17 1:078865L (ad 2, 5 copies), VD17 23:27837X (ad 3, 4 copies); Wenning, Joachim II. Camerarius. Eine Studie über sein Leben; cf. ad 4 not in VD17 or in Landwehr, German emblem books.
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