![KIRCHER, A. (1602-1680). Latium. Id est, nova & parallela Latii tum veteris tum novi description. Amsterdam: J. Janssonium and the heirs of E. Weyerstraet, 1671. [Bound with:] China monumentis. Amsterdam: J. Jansson and E. Weyerstraet, 1667. 2 works in one volume, 2° (365 x 235mm). First work with engraved additional title by Romeyn de Hooghe, portrait of the dedicatee Pope Clement X, 27 engraved plates, plans and maps of which 16 double-page or folding, 20 illustrations. (Title with a small marginal wormhole, some browning and spotting); second work with engraved title, engraved vignette on title, engraved portrait, 22 (of 24) engraved plates of which 3 folding, 60 engraved illustrations of which one tipped-in and numerous woodcuts. (Lacking engraved portrait and two engraved plates, 2E3 cut at lower margin without any loss, occasional browning and spotting.) Contemporary blind-stamped pigskin over wooden boards, spine in six compartments with gilt labels, part of origin](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2013/CSK/2013_CSK_08952_0109_000(kircher_a_latium_id_est_nova_parallela_latii_tum_veteris_tum_novi_desc074209).jpg?w=1)
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KIRCHER, A. (1602-1680). Latium. Id est, nova & parallela Latii tum veteris tum novi description. Amsterdam: J. Janssonium and the heirs of E. Weyerstraet, 1671. [Bound with:] China monumentis. Amsterdam: J. Jansson and E. Weyerstraet, 1667. 2 works in one volume, 2° (365 x 235mm). First work with engraved additional title by Romeyn de Hooghe, portrait of the dedicatee Pope Clement X, 27 engraved plates, plans and maps of which 16 double-page or folding, 20 illustrations. (Title with a small marginal wormhole, some browning and spotting); second work with engraved title, engraved vignette on title, engraved portrait, 22 (of 24) engraved plates of which 3 folding, 60 engraved illustrations of which one tipped-in and numerous woodcuts. (Lacking engraved portrait and two engraved plates, 2E3 cut at lower margin without any loss, occasional browning and spotting.) Contemporary blind-stamped pigskin over wooden boards, spine in six compartments with gilt labels, part of original clasp remaining (some light staining). Provenance: unidentified library shelf mark on spine -- Bibliotheca Kircheriana (book label).
FIRST EDITIONS. The Latium resulted from Kircher's curiosity about Rome and the surrounding region. 'From 1635 until his death Kircher resided in Rome, researching, teaching, writing, and exploring the Italian countryside... it is a compilation of his topographical impressions of Rome and its environs, a guide to the regions around Rome and northwards into Etruria, to its landmarks, villas, and towns, both ancient and modern' (Merrill). The second work was printed both in Rome and Antwerp in 1667, it is divided into six parts and discusses the Nestorian inscriptions, the history of China and its introduction to Christianity; it also discusses the possibility that Chinese characters could have originated from Egyptian hieroglyphics. Merrill 20 and 23; Brunet III, 666 and 667; Caillet 5773 and 5777 (Latium: 'curieux ouvrage enrichi de nombr. fig.'; China: 'Cet ouvrage possède encore aujourd'hui une certaine valeur scientifique, à cause de la foule de notices géografique et archélogiques qu'il renferme'); Cicognara 3758 (Latium: 'Opera dottissima e arricchita di grandi tavole').
FIRST EDITIONS. The Latium resulted from Kircher's curiosity about Rome and the surrounding region. 'From 1635 until his death Kircher resided in Rome, researching, teaching, writing, and exploring the Italian countryside... it is a compilation of his topographical impressions of Rome and its environs, a guide to the regions around Rome and northwards into Etruria, to its landmarks, villas, and towns, both ancient and modern' (Merrill). The second work was printed both in Rome and Antwerp in 1667, it is divided into six parts and discusses the Nestorian inscriptions, the history of China and its introduction to Christianity; it also discusses the possibility that Chinese characters could have originated from Egyptian hieroglyphics. Merrill 20 and 23; Brunet III, 666 and 667; Caillet 5773 and 5777 (Latium: 'curieux ouvrage enrichi de nombr. fig.'; China: 'Cet ouvrage possède encore aujourd'hui une certaine valeur scientifique, à cause de la foule de notices géografique et archélogiques qu'il renferme'); Cicognara 3758 (Latium: 'Opera dottissima e arricchita di grandi tavole').