[Rarebooks] FS: Rare 1st English ed. of Porta's "Natural Magick..." London: 1658

[Karmbooks at aol.com]

(SCIENCE) Porta, Giovanni Battista della. NATURAL MAGICK... In Twenty 
Books... Wherein Are Set Forth All the Riches and Delights of the Natural Sciences. 
London: Printed for Thomas Young, and Samuel Speed. 1658. First edition in 
English. 4to. (6),410,(6)pp. Added engraved title. Illus. with numerous curious 
text woodcuts. Title printed in red & black with a woodcut printer’s device. 
Early 20th c. gilt decorated half calf over marbled boards, extremities & hinges 
lightly rubbed, spine ornately gilt with burgundy calf label. Occasional text 
soiling and a few leaves with marginal notations & underlining. One leaf with 
a small burn hole (no text loss). 2 preliminary blanks with some crude paper 
repairs.     $6,500.00 (trade discount allowed)
Porta’s (1538-1615) practical scientific guide that encompasses what had been 
Medieval superstition and Renaissance empiricism. There are chapters on 
magnetism and optics, as well as hair dying and perfumery, and how to send hidden 
messages. The first edition in 4 books was printed in 1558. It was expanded to 
20 books in 1589, from which this translation was derived. Wing P2982.

Kenneth Karmiole, Bookseller, Inc.
P.O. Box 464
Santa Monica, CA 90406
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