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Mensa Philosophica. Louvain: Johannes de Westfalia, [between 1484/85 and 1487].
A curious book, the Mensa philosophica is a handbook devoted to the art of dining conversation, including information on dietetic and medical benefits. It is usually attributed to Theobaldus Anguilbertus (c.1175-1235) who was an Irish doctor of medicine, although in some editions, it is attributed Michael Scotus, a mathematician and scholar in the Middle Ages, who notably served as science adviser and court astrologer to Frederick II, and whose name would be Anguilbertus’ pseudonym (Simon, p.123-4). Various undated Cologne editions precede and succeed Johannes de Westfalia's Louvain edition. No auction records for this edition (ABPC/RBH) and only 10 copies in institutions. C 3986; GW M22820; BMC IX 155 (IA 49272); Bod-inc M-191; ISTC im00492700.
Quarto (194 x 135mm). 81 leaves (of 82), without the first blank, opening initials in red and blue, rubricated up to g1 (occasional marginal staining). Later vellum-backed boards with leather spine label, evidently removed from a Sammelband and rebound later on its own (somewhat darkened). Provenance: early marginalia – Jesuit Society (‘HIS’ inscription on first leaf) – Robert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquis of Crewe (1858-1945) (engraved bookplate and inscriptions).
A curious book, the Mensa philosophica is a handbook devoted to the art of dining conversation, including information on dietetic and medical benefits. It is usually attributed to Theobaldus Anguilbertus (c.1175-1235) who was an Irish doctor of medicine, although in some editions, it is attributed Michael Scotus, a mathematician and scholar in the Middle Ages, who notably served as science adviser and court astrologer to Frederick II, and whose name would be Anguilbertus’ pseudonym (Simon, p.123-4). Various undated Cologne editions precede and succeed Johannes de Westfalia's Louvain edition. No auction records for this edition (ABPC/RBH) and only 10 copies in institutions. C 3986; GW M22820; BMC IX 155 (IA 49272); Bod-inc M-191; ISTC im00492700.
Quarto (194 x 135mm). 81 leaves (of 82), without the first blank, opening initials in red and blue, rubricated up to g1 (occasional marginal staining). Later vellum-backed boards with leather spine label, evidently removed from a Sammelband and rebound later on its own (somewhat darkened). Provenance: early marginalia – Jesuit Society (‘HIS’ inscription on first leaf) – Robert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquis of Crewe (1858-1945) (engraved bookplate and inscriptions).
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