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SCHOTT, Gaspar (1608-1678). Schola steganographica, in classes octo distributa, quibus, praeter alia multa, ac jucundissima, explicantur artificia nova. Nuremberg: Johannis Andreae Endterim & heirs of Wolfgang junior, 1665. 4° (204 x 160mm). Half title, additional engraved title, title in red and black, full-page engraved arms of Ferdinand Maximilian, 8 folding engraved plates, 3 tables of which one folding and one double-page, one engraved illustration and numerous woodcuts and initials, woodcut device on final leaf. (A folding engraved plate taped down, 'abacus' table and some other leaves heavily browned, lighter browning throughout.) Later vellum, speckled edges (a few small stains). Provenance: Ara Coeli Library (stamp on half-title) -- cancelled stamp on title -- shelfmark ticket on front cover and erased marks on spine -- Bibliotheca Kircheriana (book label).
FIRST EDITION of Schott's treatise on cryptography: 'L'un des plus cureiux livres sur l'art d'écrire en chriffre' (Caillet). Schott was Kircher's chief disciple and advocate, and his publications are important supplements to those of his mentor. The present work is largely a compilation of cipher systems inspired by, or derived from, Kircher, who had published his own Polygraphia on the subject two years earlier. The work discusses different encrypting and deciphering systems, along with the mechanical instruments involved in some. The numerous engravings and woodcut illustrations were designed by Fürk. Sommervogel VII, 910-911; Bibliotheca esoterica, 442 ('L'un des plus curieux et des plus rares traités sur les écritures secrètes et leurs nombreuses combinations'); Caillet III, 10007.
FIRST EDITION of Schott's treatise on cryptography: 'L'un des plus cureiux livres sur l'art d'écrire en chriffre' (Caillet). Schott was Kircher's chief disciple and advocate, and his publications are important supplements to those of his mentor. The present work is largely a compilation of cipher systems inspired by, or derived from, Kircher, who had published his own Polygraphia on the subject two years earlier. The work discusses different encrypting and deciphering systems, along with the mechanical instruments involved in some. The numerous engravings and woodcut illustrations were designed by Fürk. Sommervogel VII, 910-911; Bibliotheca esoterica, 442 ('L'un des plus curieux et des plus rares traités sur les écritures secrètes et leurs nombreuses combinations'); Caillet III, 10007.