PORTA, Giovanni Battista. Della Fisonomia dell' Huomo
Pub. IN VICENZA: Per Pietro Paolo Tozzi MDCXV (1615). Very early edition. Title, [7], 219 leaves, [5] leaves, title (Fisonomia naturale) pp. 3-60, [2] leaves: very many woodcuts.
Della Porta of Naples (1536-1615) invented the Camera obscura (1588), the opera glass (1590) and was one of the founders of optics. He was also an opponent of witchcraft. His De humana psysiognomia are compared - individuals with animals so far as their features went.
In botany he was the first ecologist, grouping plants according to their geographic distribution (Phytognomenica, 1583).
Older velum binding, contents with mild occasional foxing and marks, binding good. Signature of "Carol Jonnis Tosii Unus ad usu" and several other obliterated signatures and inked scrolling additions to title page. Ex Libris Anatomica K.F. Russell. (215x145mm)


Estimate $1,500-3,000