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''Discorsi'' Herbal Medicine Text 1581

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:NA
''Discorsi'' Herbal Medicine Text 1581
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Exceptional for both its beauty and exhaustive cataloging of flower and plant species, this encyclopedic text on herbal medicine has been coveted since its publication in 1581. ''Discorsi,'' by Pietro Andrea Mattioli, runs nearly 1,000 pages with that many woodcuts representing flowers, plants, animals, vessels, furnaces and distilling apparatus, so detailed that identification can be done through woodcuts alone, without reliance on the text. The author of ''Discorsi,'' Pietro Andrea Mattioli, was the personal doctor of Ferdianand II and is credited with noting the first case of cat allergy. His interest in botany, coupled with medicine, resulted in this publication of ''Discorsi,'' considered still the most accurate tome on medicinal botany ever produced, with precise descriptions and recipes for medical plants. It also lists for the first time a number of plants never previously published, such as an early tomato varietal. Also included as a supplement to the book is the first printing of ''Del Modo di Distillare,'' an instruction manual on distilling water and essential oils from plants. This edition of ''Discorsi,'' published in Venice by Vincenzo Valgrisi in 1581, is the scarce Italian edition, published in Mattioli's native tongue one year after his death. 8.5'' x 11.5'' folio book is in very good plus condition, in 19th century vellum binding with gilded leather labels to spine. Some light dampstaining and scuffing to boards. No tears or missing pages and only one notation on page 614. A rare text of unusual perfection and beauty.