BISSEL, Johann.
Aestas. [half-title:] Delicię Ęstatis. [A1:] Ęstivorum libri tres, quibus Delicię Ęstatis describuntur.Munich, [colophon:] Nicolas Henricus, 1644. 12mo. With engraved emblematic title-page, 4 full-page emblematic engravings and 21 engraved emblems in the text by Wolfgang Kilian after Johann Loth. Early overlapping vellum, rebacked with original spine label laid down, later ties.
(16), 465 pp. De Backer & Sommervogel I, col. 1514; Landwehr, German Emblems 131; Praz, p. 275. First and only edition of neo-Latin poems by the Jesuit Johann Bissel, devoted to the beauties of nature in the summer. The three parts are introduced by full-page engravings for the months June, July and August. The poems and songs mix religious and secular subjects with a full-page engraving of Ruth, and other biblical figures (such as John the Baptist and Nebuchadnezzar) among the 21 smaller emblems. A 58-page "Indiculus Onomasticus" following the poems defines and indexes the botanical terms, sometimes giving Greek and German equivalents. During most of his life Bissel (1601-1682) was active as a preacher in the Jesuit order, but he also worked some years as professor for poetry, rhetoric, and ethics. The illustrations are finely engraved.Very good copy, with only a small tear slightly affecting one word and minor marginal stains slightly affecting the running heads on a few leaves. A good copy of a "scarce" (Praz) emblem book.
[Bookseller: Asher Rare Books (Since 1830)]
|
