KIRCHER, Athanasius (1602-1680). Musurgia universalis: sive Ars magna consoni et dissoni. Rome: heirs of Francisco Corbelletti, 1650. 2 volumes in one, 2° (333 x 215mm). Engraved frontispiece and portrait of archduke Leopold both after J.P. Schor in volume I and engraved frontispiece in vol. II, 21 plates numbered to 23, 4 folding, numerous woodcut illustrations, three full-page, errata leaf at end of vol. II. (Lacking blank 2+6, light occasional browning, a few scattered spots, the larger folding plate with short tear, a few illustrations slightly cropped, occasional browning of text, 3E2, 3M1 in vol. I and V3 in vol. II holed with slight loss of text, 4L2-3 in vol. I with piece torn from upper margin slightly affecting first headline, a few other leaves a little torn and frayed at margins.) Contemporary vellum with blind-stamped central lozenge within blind-stamped borders, manuscript title on spine (extremities lightly rubbed, a few small stains, lacking ties). Provenance: early note in Dutch on front free endpaper -- T. Kytkh (signature in pink on first title, on verso of final leaf and on a few other leaves).FIRST EDITION of Kircher's encylopedia of music, written at the time of transition from the old Renaissance polyphony to the new baroque style, and discussing inventions of his own such as the talking statue, the megaphone, and numerous mechanical music-makers, including the arca musaarithmica or composing computer. The book was enduringly popular, Samuel Pepys recording in his diary, 22 February 1688, 'Up, and by coach through ducke lane; and there did buy Kircher's Musurgia, cost me 35s, a book I am mighty glad of, expecting to find great satisfaction in it'. Brunet III, 668; Caillet II, 363/5785; De Backer I, 424.8; Merrill 8; Sommervogel IV, 1051.11.

KIRCHER, Athanasius (1602-1680). Musurgia universalis: sive Ars magna consoni et dissoni. Rome: heirs of Francisco Corbelletti, 1650. 2 volumes in one, 2° (333 x 215mm). Engraved frontispiece and portrait of archduke Leopold both after J.P. Schor in volume I and engraved frontispiece in vol. II, 21 plates numbered to 23, 4 folding, numerous woodcut illustrations, three full-page, errata leaf at end of vol. II. (Lacking blank 2+6, light occasional browning, a few scattered spots, the larger folding plate with short tear, a few illustrations slightly cropped, occasional browning of text, 3E2, 3M1 in vol. I and V3 in vol. II holed with slight loss of text, 4L2-3 in vol. I with piece torn from upper margin slightly affecting first headline, a few other leaves a little torn and frayed at margins.) Contemporary vellum with blind-stamped central lozenge within blind-stamped borders, manuscript title on spine (extremities lightly rubbed, a few small stains, lacking ties). Provenance: early note in Dutch on front free endpaper -- T. Kytkh (signature in pink on first title, on verso of final leaf and on a few other leaves). FIRST EDITION of Kircher's encylopedia of music, written at the time of transition from the old Renaissance polyphony to the new baroque style, and discussing inventions of his own such as the talking statue, the megaphone, and numerous mechanical music-makers, including the arca musaarithmica or composing computer. The book was enduringly popular, Samuel Pepys recording in his diary, 22 February 1688, 'Up, and by coach through ducke lane; and there did buy Kircher's Musurgia, cost me 35s, a book I am mighty glad of, expecting to find great satisfaction in it'. Brunet III, 668; Caillet II, 363/5785; De Backer I, 424.8; Merrill 8; Sommervogel IV, 1051.11.

Details

KIRCHER, Athanasius (1602-1680). Musurgia universalis: sive Ars magna consoni et dissoni. Rome: heirs of Francisco Corbelletti, 1650. 2 volumes in one, 2° (333 x 215mm). Engraved frontispiece and portrait of archduke Leopold both after J.P. Schor in volume I and engraved frontispiece in vol. II, 21 plates numbered to 23, 4 folding, numerous woodcut illustrations, three full-page, errata leaf at end of vol. II. (Lacking blank 2+6, light occasional browning, a few scattered spots, the larger folding plate with short tear, a few illustrations slightly cropped, occasional browning of text, 3E2, 3M1 in vol. I and V3 in vol. II holed with slight loss of text, 4L2-3 in vol. I with piece torn from upper margin slightly affecting first headline, a few other leaves a little torn and frayed at margins.) Contemporary vellum with blind-stamped central lozenge within blind-stamped borders, manuscript title on spine (extremities lightly rubbed, a few small stains, lacking ties). Provenance: early note in Dutch on front free endpaper -- T. Kytkh (signature in pink on first title, on verso of final leaf and on a few other leaves).

FIRST EDITION of Kircher's encylopedia of music, written at the time of transition from the old Renaissance polyphony to the new baroque style, and discussing inventions of his own such as the talking statue, the megaphone, and numerous mechanical music-makers, including the arca musaarithmica or composing computer. The book was enduringly popular, Samuel Pepys recording in his diary, 22 February 1688, 'Up, and by coach through ducke lane; and there did buy Kircher's Musurgia, cost me 35s, a book I am mighty glad of, expecting to find great satisfaction in it'. Brunet III, 668; Caillet II, 363/5785; De Backer I, 424.8; Merrill 8; Sommervogel IV, 1051.11.

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