Reisch, G.

Margarita Philosophica

      - Freiburg, Schott, 1503 (Graesse 6 pp 73; Brunet 3441). In quarto, rebound in contemporary blindtooled calf. 294 (of 296) leaves. Engraved title page; last leave authentic blank. 15 full page woodcut engravings, numerous engravings in the text. Mildly washed and de-acified copy. Still with traces of water and other stains throughout. Lacks two leaves (E4 and E5, on changing metals chapter XXV and herbs chapter XXVI). *The Margarita Philosophica is an overview of the liberal arts (science) at the break of the Renaissance, here about 1490. The original text was finished in 1496 and where all other bibliographies give 1503 as the editio princeps, Graesse mentions an edition without date or place, that he dates 1496 and places in Heidelberg. Panzer and Hain suggest this edition with a date of 1496 is the same one as this 1503 edition. The Margarita stands in line with earlier encyclopedias like the Ethymologia by Isodorus Hispalensis (VII century, includes an OT worldmap, first printed in 1473) Jacobus Magnus’ Sophologium (early XV century, first printed around 1470, and Bartolomeus Anglicus’ De proprietatibus rerum (1470). The twelve sciences described are:Trivium: (p1) Grammatica (latina); (p121) dialectica principia; (p229) retorica principia. Quadrivium: (p267) Aritmica; (p 332) Musica; (p401) Geometria; (p 512) Astronomia. Naturale: (713) naturalis philosophiae; (763) naturalium rerum; (p 834) animae vegetativae; (p 900) animae rationalis. Morale: (p1003) moralis philosophia. Most fields of sciences are preceded by a full page, metaphorical woodcut, showing and representing the field of science to be discussed. Gregor Reisch (1467-1525) was professor at Heidelberg University, where he also taught Waldseemuller. He is part of a circle of scientists/publishers, that include Walter Ludd; Ringmann, professor of cosmology in Basel, Johann Gruninger in Strassburg (printer), Schott and Amerbach. Between them information flowed freely. Partly under the maecenatism of Rene II, Duke of Lorraine, the Cosmografia Introductio was published (1507); wall map of the world naming America (1507); gores of a globe showing & naming America (1507) and the Carta Marina (1516).#[603]