DE INDAGINE, Johannes. - Lot 33

DE INDAGINE, Johannes. Elegant Introductions to Apotelesmatics: On Chiromancy, Physiognomy, Natural Astrology, Human Temperaments, and the Natures of the Planets. With periaxioms on the faces of the signs and canons on diseases, treated in a compendium virtually unmatched anywhere. Lugdunum, published by Joan Tornarsium, 1556. In-8 in in-12 format, 186 pp., illustrations. 18th-century marbled fawn calfskin, tinted red; smooth spine decorated with gilt panels and gilt scrolls, dotted fleurons, red morocco title label, gilt title, blind-stamped fillet on the covers, gilt scroll on the edges, red edges (upper cap trim worn down, corners slightly rubbed, very faint water stains on a few leaves at the end, minor ink stain in the corner on pp. 99–106, very minor marginal worm damage, small stains on the title page, margins slightly short but with no missing text). A fine copy of this rare 16th-century Lyon edition. A treatise on astrology and divination, devoted to palmistry, physiognomy, and natural astrology, republished by Jean de Tournes in Lyon following the 1522 Strasbourg edition. Only one entry in the CCFr (BnF). Illustrated with 83 finely engraved black-and-white woodcut figures in the text, including the hands for palmistry and the medallion on the title page depicting Indagine’s portrait. The engravings are generally attributed to Bernard Salomon. Johannes Indagine (c. 1467–1537) was a German humanist priest and astrologer from Steinheim (Hanau). Several contemporary annotations in sepia ink in the margins. Ex libris from the Library of Dr. L.-J. Fournier. Caillet, 5388: “The edition by Jean de Tournes is much rarer than the 1571 reprint.”