KIRCHER, Athanasius (1602-1680). Musurgia universalis sive ars magna, Rome: Heirs of Francesco Corbelletti, 1650, 2 volumes, 2° (322 x 200mm.), FIRST EDITION, engraved title, engraved portrait of Archduke Leopold William of Austria, 21 engraved plates, some folding, woodcut illustrations and diagrams, some full-page (title and some leaves dampstained, small stamp to each title, corner of Sss of vol. I & R3 of vol. II torn away, small hole to O3 of vol. II causing loss to a few numerals, repaired tear to CC4 of vol. II, several other marginal tears, some leaves browned and spotted), contemporary vellum (lightly soiled), sprinkled edges. [Sotheran I, 2300].

Details

KIRCHER, Athanasius (1602-1680). Musurgia universalis sive ars magna, Rome: Heirs of Francesco Corbelletti, 1650, 2 volumes, 2° (322 x 200mm.), FIRST EDITION, engraved title, engraved portrait of Archduke Leopold William of Austria, 21 engraved plates, some folding, woodcut illustrations and diagrams, some full-page (title and some leaves dampstained, small stamp to each title, corner of Sss of vol. I & R3 of vol. II torn away, small hole to O3 of vol. II causing loss to a few numerals, repaired tear to CC4 of vol. II, several other marginal tears, some leaves browned and spotted), contemporary vellum (lightly soiled), sprinkled edges. [Sotheran I, 2300].

Provenance

Ed. Grell library, stamp to each title.

Lot Essay

First edition of Kircher's encyclopedia of music. He was assisted in its compilation by A.M. Abbatini and J. Viva, and about 1500 copies were printed. The first volume deals with the theory and history of music, the second with the practical side of music-making including not only conventional instruments but also water-organs, a speaking tube for conversing over long distances and a mechanical device for composing music. Kircher was the first to ascertain in this work the transmission of sound in solid bodies.

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