Search Results: Titles starting with S from Patrick Olson Rare Books

HISTORY OF INVENTIONS | GALILEO'S SIDEREUS NUNCIUS EXCERPTED ¶ [16], 144, 155-354, 335-342 p. | 8vo | )(^8 A-Y^8 ¶ 161 x 95 mm First edition of the philosopher's probing history of human ingenuity, organized chiefly by the fields of philosophy, medicine, science (physicus), mathematics, and technology (mechanicus). A second edition followed in 1700. Opening with an account of ancient inventions, the work is sweeping in breadth. "The first mortals," for example, "by thinking through purposeful work, gave succor to the necessity of life first, for which man introduced agriculture and shepherding" (p. 4). But he more deeply investigates innovations of his own age. He credits Francis Bacon with ushering in the present enlightened era of science (p. 7), followed by a complimentary twenty-page chapter on Descartes. ¶ From here, the author works through all of history. He begins with Socrates (inventor of philosophy) and Pythagoras (inventor of music). He discusses the juridical… Read More

SOURCE FOR MIXED RACE MEDICI DUKE | CURIOUS TRADE LABELS? ¶ 2 volumes | v. 1: [3], VI-XI, [1], 635, [1] p. | v. 2: [3], 6-246, 257-555, [1] p. | 246 x 152 mm ¶ These comprise volumes 36 and 37 of the Biblioteca enciclopedica italiana series. Includes indexes and a preface by Achille Mauri. ¶ Bernardo Segni (1504-1558) and Giovanni Battista Adriani (1511-1579) were both Florentine historians. The former composed his Storie fiorentine in the later years of his life, though it wasn't published until 1723, and the latter wrote an Istoria de' suoi tempi posthumously published in 1583. Segni's history provides some details of the life of Alessandro Medici, Duke of Florence, son of a slave girl, murdered in 1537. The present compilation also includes Segni's Vita di Niccolo Capponi. --- CONDITION: Contemporary half vellum and blue pulled paste paper, with a decorative printed panel affixed to each board (one with a lyre, the other bearing a jug); leather labels and some gold tooling to the… Read More