BEGARDI, Philippus

Index sanitatis: Eyn schöns und vast nützlichs Büchlin , gen[n]t Zeyger der gesundtheyt, Den jhenen, so kranck seind, vnd nit wissens haben, wie, wo vn[d] mit was massen sie widerumb bekommen mögen vnd erlange[n] recht volkommende gesundtheyt zu trost gemacht und an[d] tag geben. Durch Philippum Begardi der Freien kunst vn[d] Artznei Doctorem, der zeit der Löblichen Keyserlichen Reichstatt Wormbs Physicum vnd Leibartzet. Zu Wrombs truckts Sebastianus Wagner. [no date on titlepage, colophon] ... M. D. xxxix. Den xx. tag des Augsmonats

      Worms: Sebastian Wagner, 1539. Folio: [clover leaf]4 A--L4, 48 leaves, ff. [4] XLIIII. Gothic letter. Large wooodcut on title, 8 and 14 line white on black initials. Leaf size and condition: 288 x 193mm. Small wormholes in corners and margins and a few large holes through the text towards the end; marginal waterstaining, first and last leaves soiled, page edges frayed towards the end. Still a reasonably fresh and clean copy. Binding: Recent panelled calf, red painted and gauffered edges from a former binding. Provenance and annotation: From the gauffering it appears that this work was formerly bound with, or formed a companion to, my Catalogue 41, nos 53, 57 and 108. Inscription on verso of title 'Warowpka Jar R Maker'. About 10 words of early annotation and NBs in the margins. Walter Pagel (1896--1983); B. E. J. Pagel (1930--2007). References: VD16 B1467. First edition. § This popular guide to health is an important source for the historical Dr Faustus. Begardi, City Physician of Worms, says he knows a number of people duped by Faust, an arogant swindler who boasted great skill in medicine and referred to himself as another Paracelsus. He mentions Faust as a man who was well known, but of whom nothing had been heard lately. The vivid title woodcut (160 x 135mm) is a medical scene showing the male patient on a bed attended by two women and a young physician. The text contains some fine white on black woodcut initials decorated with stylised plant forms.