BARTHOLOMAEUS Anglicus

Opus de rerum proprietatibus

      by Friedrich Peypus for Johann Koberger 3 May 1519, Nuremberg 19th century stiff wrappers Folio . Important Renaissance edition of this influential medieval encyclopedia, "On the Properties of Things," by Bartholomaeus Anglicus (Bartholomew of England) which is very comprehensive with the sections on natural history being very advanced for the period in additional to the traditional theological topics that are dealt with. Thorndike comments that it is interesting to note that this 13th century monk included substantially more science that his 16th century counterparts. In nineteen books he deals with, among other things, medicine; trees and herbs; gems, minerals and metals; food and drink; geography; cosmology; animals; and music. Bartolomaeus Anglicus (Fl. ca. 1220-1250) was a monk born in England, who became professor of divinity at the University of Paris. For centuries after his death he was famous as the compiler of this highly esteemed encyclopedia on the nature of things: "An encyclopedia written for the common people, that went through many editions. Still important for its information on political geography and its accounts of natural history. It treats also of medicine, cosmology, form and matter, meteorology, minerals, metals, trees, plants, measures and weights, musical instruments, and many other matters" (Stillwell, Awakening Interest in Science, no. 595: Basel 1471 ed.). The work also appears to have been a Shakespeare source (cf. Kunz, Shakespeare and Precious Stones, p. 36). Thorndike in his "History of Magic and Experimental Science" devotes a whole chapter describing the work in great detail (vol. II, chap. LIV; pp. 401-435). From the library of Wolfgang Sedelius (inscription, dated 1537, on title and with annotations in his hand on leaves m6, n1, o6, and x1). Wolfgang Seydel (1492-1562) was a well known preacher at the Augustine Church in Munich. He was an opponent of the reform movement and helped to prevent the advances of Protestantism in Munich Title within fine large historiated border, with the blank *6, historiated and ornamental initials, printed in double columns; final text leaf with small piece of blank margin torn away (no loss); title a little dusty otherwise a very nice clean copy. § Adams B264; cf. Neville I, 83 (1491 ed.) & Sinkankas 423 & 434 (other eds.).