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an old book with a picture of a man and a woman sitting on a benchan open book with a picture of a man and a woman on itan old book with a picture of a man and a woman on itan old brown book sitting on top of a white tablean old book sitting on top of a white tablean old book with a picture of a man standing in front of a flagan open book with a black and white image of a horsean open book on a white table with a white backgroundan open book with a picture of animals on itan open book with a drawing of a tree and a man laying on the ground
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188 - Antiquarian book. KIRCHER (Athanasius).
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Estimate €400 - €600
Sale commission
Description
Antiquarian book. KIRCHER (Athanasius). *Arca Noë, in tres libros digesta*. Amsterdam, Jan Jansson van Waesberge, 1675. Folio, speckled calfskin, decorated spine, smooth edges (contemporary binding). First edition of the last work – and, according to Dorbon, one of the rarest – by the Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher (1602–1680), an eminent orientalist and encyclopaedic mind of the Baroque era. The work, dedicated to the young King Charles II of Spain, is entirely devoted to the biblical account of the Flood and Noah’s Ark. A very fine and curious collection of intaglio engravings, comprising a beautiful allegorical frontispiece, a portrait of the dedicatee and 14 (out of 19) separate plates and maps, often spread across two pages or as fold-outs, to which are added a full-page copperplate (p. 237) and around a hundred figures within the text, engraved on copper or wood, depicting mainly animals. Some copperplate engravings, such as the portrait of Charles II of Spain, are signed by Coenraet Decker. An incomplete copy, missing 5 plates (pp. 28, 38, 116, 122, 126). Foxing, sometimes pronounced, and a few browned leaves. A marginal tear with no loss on p. 57. A small tear, repaired in the margin of a plate on p. 226. Binding worn, upper box missing, joints split, corners worn, scuffing and small tears in the leather. Merrill, no. 26 – Caillet, II, no. 5768 – Dorbon, no. 2376 – Sommervogel, IV, 1046, no. 33 – Nissen, ZBI, no. 2195 – Brunet, III, 666. Appraised by: Librairie Giraud Badin, Paris.
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About the sale Antiques, paintings, furniture and objets d’art, Asian art.
Auction location
Auction time 09/27/2026 at 1:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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