[Rarebooks] FS: Kircher on the effects of music on the victims of tarantula bites and much else, 1654

[Charles Agvent]

 From our newest catalog, just posted on our website: 
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KIRCHER, Athanasius. ATHANASII KIRCHERI, SOCIETATIS IESU. MAGNES SIVE 
ARTE MAGNETICA OPUS TRIPARTITUM. QUO UNIVERSAMAGNETIS NATURA, EIUSQUE IN 
OMNIBUS SCIENTIJS & ARTIBUS USUS, NOVA METHODO EXPLICATUR, ETC. Rome: B. 
Deuersin, & Z. Masotti, 1654. Third, and best, Edition. Folio (8-1/2" x 
12-1/2") bound in contemporary vellum; [xxxii (including engraved 
title-page)], 618, [24] pages. Title page printed in red and black with 
engraved printer's device; additional engraved title page; woodcut 
initials; head- and tailpieces; full-page engraved arms of the 
dedicatee, Ferdinand IV; about 50 tables and several examples of musical 
scores in the text; 215 woodcut illustrations; and 34 mostly full-page 
engraved plates. The last, best, and most valuable edition, as well as 
the first one in folio, of one of the major scientific works by the most 
famous German Jesuit scholar. Kircher examines all aspects of 
magnetism-from that of the earth to animals, music, and love--and 
presents some daring theories such as the positive effects of music on 
the victims of tarantula bites. He also describes his construction of a 
magnetic clock and how it functions. Two small institutional stamps on 
the title page with an early annotation. Worming to the title and first 
few pages as well as the last few of the index and the binding, 
extensive on a few pages; the rest of the text fine.

Ferguson I, 467; Merill 6: "This third edition of 'Magnes', the finest 
and most complete of the three editions, was greatly enlarged by 
Kircher. It contains many observations and experiments not in the two 
previous editions"; Ronalds 267; STC 461; Wellcome III, 394; Wheeler 
Gift 116a: "Celebrated work. It deals with electrics as well as 
magnetics, showing great versatility and encyclopaedic knowledge. He 
controverts Gilbert's theories in magnetism and those of Kepler in 
astronomy." (#017302)        $7,500.00

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