Rare 1641 Latin First Edition of Tulp's 'Observationum Medicarum' (Medical Observations)
TULP, Nicolaas (1593-1674) 'Observationum Medicarum. Libri tres cum æneis figuris' (The Observations of Medicine, three books with engraved plates)
Pub. AMSTELREDAMI: Apud Ludovicum Elzevieium. 1641. Collation: 8° *8 A-R8 S4 ($1-5 signed, - H4, H5, I5, L3, M5, O4, Q2; E1, E3 missigned D1, D3), 148 leaves; pp. [8], 1-279, [1]. Collation Brief: [8] leaves, 279pp. 14 engr plates, 1 small illustration.
Tulp was praelector (Reader/Lecturer) in anatomy in the Chirurgijns-Gild in Amsterdam where he was born. He was several times Mayor of Amsterdam. He described and illustrates the ileo-caecal valve and dissected a chimpanzee (which he calls an orang-outang), the first picture of which is in this book. Tulp is the central figure in Rembrant's Lesson in Anatomy. He died at The Hague. Many editions of his observations were published but the first is very rare. The edition of 1652 contains the first description of beri-beri.
Original calf with gold embossed border and faded red sprayed edges, flecking, particularly spine, minor worming to base p187 on (Wormholes from rear, do u-turn exit at rear), final endpaper lacking, shelf wear, some foxing and tanning. References: Bibliothoea Walleriana 9715; Russell, RACS p. 139 1716 edition. At the auction of Herbert Evans Library in 1975 his copy fetched US$550. B.M. Israel in Cat 97-1 1984 had a copy at 1850 gilders. From the library of Viscount Harcourt, Nureham Park, Oxford. Bookplates: Bookplate of Viscount Harcourt, Nuneham Park, Oxford & Ex Libris Anatomica K.F. Russell. (150x95mm)


PROVENANCE:
Collection Late Kenneth F. Russell (1911-1987), Professor of Anatomy and Medical History, University of Melbourne.

Estimate $3,000-4,000