[Rarebooks] FS: Kirchner's ARS MAGNA LUCIS ET UMBRAE, 1671, the Birth of Motion Pictures

[charles agvent]

Another fine item from our list of 45 Select New Arrivals catalogued 
for the New York Book Fair.  All 45 can be seen at 
http://www.erols.com/agvent

KIRCHNER, ATHANASIUS. ARS MAGNA LUCIS ET UMBRAE, IN X. LIBROS 
DIGESTA.... Amsterdam: Janssonium Waesbergiana 1671. Second Edition. 
Tall folio (9-1/2" x 15") bound in full recent calf with 
gilt-decorated spine and gilt-lettered red morocco spine label; [30], 
810 [i.e. 710 (pages 425-524 omitted in pagination)], [9] pages; [4] 
leaves of plates (1 folded). Illustrated with a symbolic frontispiece, 
engraved portrait of of Johann Friedrich, Count Waldstein (to whom the 
work is dedicated), a large folding plate depicting The Jesuits' 
Universal Horoscope (with old repair to the rear), and numerous 
engravings and diagrams throughout. First published in 1644, this 
enlarged edition is noteworthy for a number of reasons but perhaps 
none more important than what gives this title a place in any 
important library on the history of Films and Cinema. Included within 
is an early description of and the first two known published 
engravings depicting the recently invented magic lantern, an early 
form of projector. Other engravings are the first printed pictures of 
the planets Saturn and Jupiter. The Jesuit scholar also treats comets, 
lunar eclipses, color, optics, sundials, and astrological influences, 
specifically regarding the relationship of the heavenly bodies to 
timekeeping. One of the more interesting titles from this celebrated 
and prolific polymath. Browning throughout with the text occasionally 
somewhat brittle. Very Good in a Fine binding.    $12,500

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