SCATOLOGY. 'Merda est salus hominis...', manuscript on paper, [Italy, 19th century]. Discourse in the form of a mock-address to a learned society, retracing the ancient and noble origins of defecation, its cultural assocations and health-giving benefits. Engraved frontispiece depicting a male figure with enlarged phallus on a latrine, preface and discourse in two parts. In Italian, 28 pages, 153 x 82mm. Black roan, in a black roan-backed box. Provenance: Roberto Gabbani (bookplate).