Details
CORNARO, Luigi (1475-1566). Trattato de la vita sobria. Padua: Gratioso Perchacino, 1558.
4o (191 x 132 mm). Collation: A-H4. 32 leaves, foliated. Roman type. Woodcut printer's device on title, 2 historiated woodcut initials. Eighteenth-century vellum (covers bowed slightly).
VERY RARE FIRST EDITION of Cornaro's first of four tracts on longevity. "In his late thirties Cornaro found himself in very poor health due to the excessive eating, drinking and indulgence of passion common to noblemen of his era. He undertook a major reformation of his habits, limiting himself to twelve ounces of solid food (bread, meat and eggs) and fourteen ounces of new wine per day, and avoiding excesses of temperature, activity and mental excitement" (Norman). Written at the age of 83, this treatise is considered by Garrison as "the best treatise on personal hygiene and the simple life in existence" (Garrison-Morton). The four tracts were published between 1558 and 1561 and state his arguments that a moderate lifestyle increases longevity. They were later published collectively under the general title Discorsi della vita sobria in 1591. BM/STC Italian p. 198; Garrison-Morton 1592; NLM/Durling 1042; Norman 517.
4o (191 x 132 mm). Collation: A-H4. 32 leaves, foliated. Roman type. Woodcut printer's device on title, 2 historiated woodcut initials. Eighteenth-century vellum (covers bowed slightly).
VERY RARE FIRST EDITION of Cornaro's first of four tracts on longevity. "In his late thirties Cornaro found himself in very poor health due to the excessive eating, drinking and indulgence of passion common to noblemen of his era. He undertook a major reformation of his habits, limiting himself to twelve ounces of solid food (bread, meat and eggs) and fourteen ounces of new wine per day, and avoiding excesses of temperature, activity and mental excitement" (Norman). Written at the age of 83, this treatise is considered by Garrison as "the best treatise on personal hygiene and the simple life in existence" (Garrison-Morton). The four tracts were published between 1558 and 1561 and state his arguments that a moderate lifestyle increases longevity. They were later published collectively under the general title Discorsi della vita sobria in 1591. BM/STC Italian p. 198; Garrison-Morton 1592; NLM/Durling 1042; Norman 517.