ALDE
102
-
HELVETIUS (Johann Friedrich Schweitzer, known as).
See original version (French)
102
-
HELVETIUS (Johann Friedrich Schweitzer, known as).
See original version (French)
Estimate €300 - €400
Voluntary lot
Description
HELVETIUS (Johann Friedrich Schweitzer, known as). *Microscopium physiognomiæ medicum, id est, tractatus de physiognomia*. Amsterdam, Janssonius van Waesberge, 1676. 8vo, hardback in vellum, handwritten title on the spine, marbled edges (contemporary binding). First Latin edition of this curious treatise on physiognomy viewed from an alchemical perspective, written by the Dutch physician and alchemist Johann Friedrich Schweitzer (1630–1709). The first edition of the work was published in German in 1660, followed by a Dutch edition in 1664; both are extremely rare.
This edition contains nine engravings of portraits and a large fold-out plate.
‘It should perhaps be regarded as primarily medical. It is also full of astrological doctrine and emphasises the signatures of herbs, ferments, the three principles of Paracelsus, and even the philosopher’s stone’ (Thorndike).
A charming copy in contemporary vellum from the library of Cardinal Giuseppe Renato Imperiali (1651–1737), with an ex-libris stamp on the title page.
A few foxing spots and yellowed leaves; some portraits have slightly narrower margins; a small tear, with no loss of text, on the first page.
Krivatsy, no. 5459 – Wellcome, III, 244 – Thorndike VIII, 469 – Caillet, no. 5049.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Antique books – Alchemy & the occult sciences
Auction location
Auction time
11/04/2026 at 2:00 PM
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