Della Porta (Giambattista)

Magiae Naturalis Libri Viginti, in quibus scientiarum naturalium divitiae, et deliciae demonstrantur…, woodcut printers’ device on title, ornaments, illustrations in text depicting alchemical apparatus and laboratory equipment, second gathering misbound, Ss2 tear to lower right corner, some spotting and foxing throughout, early ex libris on title, contemporary vellum boards, gilt morocco label and ink title to spine, yapp edge, title also inked to lower edge, remains of leather ties, yapp edges, slightly soiled, 8vo, Heirs of Andreas Wechel, Claude de Marne & Johann Aubry, Frankfurt & Main, 1597.

*** Second version of Della Porta’s complete edition in 20 books, embracing a number of interesting subjects: the wonders of nature; the origin of species; the preservation of food, the preparation of bread, liqueurs, oils, etc .; the transmutation of metals; the creation of fake gems; magnetism; the preparation of various types of medical remedies and women's cosmetics; distillation, the preparation of ointments, pyric powder, etc .; how to treat iron; the art of cooking (pp. 501-525); hunting techniques for small birds through the use of traps; how to write secret letters; the burning mirrors and the refraction; the weights; pneumatic experiments, and a last chapter entitled ‘’Chaos’ on various topics from the bite of the viper to flying dragons.