PERSON, David.
Varieties: or, a Surveigh of Rare and Excellent Matters, Necessary and Delectable for All Sorts of Persons. Wherein the Principall Heads of Diverse Sciences are illustrated, Rare Secrets of Naturall Things unfoulded &c. Digested into five Bookes…
London: Printed by Richard Badger, for Thomas Alchorn… 1635
4to, 23 leaves, pp. 47, (1) blank, 4 leaves, pp. 49–93, (3) blank, 2 leaves, pp. 97–178, (2) blank, 181–190, (2) blank, 2 leaves, pp. 177–256, 3 leaves, pp. 1–105. Lacking the first leaf (blank but for signature ‘A’). The second to fifth books each have a separate dated title-page but the register is continuous. Title within typographical border, woodcut and typographical head- and tailpieces and initials. Title and last (blank) page a little soiled otherwise a clean copy, some headlines and side notes just shaved. 19th century calf (joints cracked but holding, tips of corners worn), spine decorated in blind. Bookplate of Leonard Harrison Matthews.
SOLE EDITION. A survey of scientific knowledge of the time. Book Four discusses “Curiosities” including the discovery of America by Columbus (pp. 199–202), and the compass. There is much of chemical interest throughout the work, especially in Book Five which contains a chapter on the philosopher’s stone. Other subjects covered include meteors and various meteorological matters, ‘secrets of nature’, duels and combat, dreams, and miracles and prodigies. STC 19781. Duveen, p.466. Neville II, p. 295.
£1,600.00
In stock
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