![[BERGASSE, Nicolas (1750-1832)]. Theorie du monde et des etres organises. Paris: gravée par D’A:-Ol, 1784.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2016/CKS/2016_CKS_12140_0269_000(bergasse_nicolas_theorie_du_monde_et_des_etres_organises_paris_gravee055106).jpg?w=1)
Details
[BERGASSE, Nicolas (1750-1832)]. Theorie du monde et des etres organises. Paris: gravée par D’A:-Ol, 1784.
3 parts in one volume, 2° (370 x 262mm). Text and illustrations engraved throughout. (Lacking the engraved key plate of occult symbols, but a lithographic copy of this supplied in facsimile, lightly browned and soiled, minor scattered spotting and staining.) Modern marbled-paper wrappers, uncut, contained within modern three-quarter morocco chemise (extremities of chemise lightly rubbed), within slipcase. Provenance: Bibliothèque des Fontaines (Chantilly, stamp on title).
EXTREMELY RARE FIRST EDITION, PUBLISHED FOR MESMER’S INNER CIRCLE ONLY. Bergasse wrote the original theory behind animal magnetism, and this publication provided the philosophical framework for Mesmer’s method. The beginning is cosmographic in nature, before branching off into physics and medicine. The symbols adopted throughout reflect alchemical and other magical symbols, and were 'considered as magic hieroglyphs, capable of communicating primitive truths' (Darnton, p. 186). ONLY THE NORMAN COPY HAS SOLD AT AUCTION (Christie's New York 15 June 1998, lot 672) in the past 40 years (ABPC/RBH). Crabtree 38; Darnton, Mesmerism, pp. 186-188; Norman M50.
3 parts in one volume, 2° (370 x 262mm). Text and illustrations engraved throughout. (Lacking the engraved key plate of occult symbols, but a lithographic copy of this supplied in facsimile, lightly browned and soiled, minor scattered spotting and staining.) Modern marbled-paper wrappers, uncut, contained within modern three-quarter morocco chemise (extremities of chemise lightly rubbed), within slipcase. Provenance: Bibliothèque des Fontaines (Chantilly, stamp on title).
EXTREMELY RARE FIRST EDITION, PUBLISHED FOR MESMER’S INNER CIRCLE ONLY. Bergasse wrote the original theory behind animal magnetism, and this publication provided the philosophical framework for Mesmer’s method. The beginning is cosmographic in nature, before branching off into physics and medicine. The symbols adopted throughout reflect alchemical and other magical symbols, and were 'considered as magic hieroglyphs, capable of communicating primitive truths' (Darnton, p. 186). ONLY THE NORMAN COPY HAS SOLD AT AUCTION (Christie's New York 15 June 1998, lot 672) in the past 40 years (ABPC/RBH). Crabtree 38; Darnton, Mesmerism, pp. 186-188; Norman M50.
Special notice
No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
Brought to you by
Robert Tyrwhitt