Dondis, Jacobus de

Royal folio (406 x 275mm.), 286 leaves, [a-e¹⁰ f⁸ g-h⁶ i-k¹⁰ l⁸ m¹⁰ n⁸ o-q¹⁰ r-s⁸ t-y¹⁰ z-A⁶ B-C¹⁰ D⁸ E¹⁰ F-H⁸ I¹⁰], with a duplicate of quire [g]⁶ bound between [g] and [h] (giving a total of 292 leaves), 55 lines, gothic letter, 2- to 7-line initials supplied in red (some with marginal extensions), red initial-strokes, paraphs and underlinings, contemporary German blind-stamped pigskin over thick wooden boards, small stamps of eagles, flowers and dragons (with fewer stamps used on lower cover), two clasps, paper label on upper cover "Aggrega. Paduano", yellow edges, a few leaves lightly browned, binding slightly rubbed, lacking straps

"Ad Bibl. Aul. Eystettensem", the Episcopal Court Library of Eichstätt, seventeenth-century inscription at head of first leaf; printed catalogue extract pasted to flyleaf, item 507, priced £3 16s

Goff D358; HC 6395; BMC i 64; Bod-inc D-157; GW 9042; Norman 649; Wellcome 1840

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A large crisp rubricated copy of the first edition of this important pharmacological text, one of the earliest printed medical books, in a contemporary binding. This combination of binding stamps is also recorded on a Venice imprint of 1477 now in Augsburg (Ink 226).

Iacopo Dondi dall'Orologio (1293-1359) was a physician in Chioggia (Venice) then professor of medicine at Padua, and this is his most important work. It is a dictionary of pharmacological literature, based on 24 authorities including Pliny, Galen, Avicenna and Averroes, divided into ten sections, covering simples and compounds and their uses for different parts of the body, humours, fevers, surgery, poisons, veterinary medicine, and nutrition.

Rare. The only copy to have come to auction in recent years is the Norman copy, in 1998.