ALBERTINUS, Aegidius Der Welt Tummel: und Schaw-Platz. Sampt der bitter: süssen Warheit... Acht Theile begreiffendt, etc. Im ersten wird gehandlet von Gott, von den Himmeln, von der Höllen, guten und buosen Engeln, Sonn, Mohn, Sternen, Elementen, Wolcken,Winden, Regen, Regenbogen... Im andern, von den grossen und kleinen, wildern und zamen vierfüssigen Thieren. Drittens, von krieschenden Thieren. Viertens, von allerhandt Vögeln. Zum fünfften, von Fischen. Zum sechsten, von Bäumen, Pflantzen, Früchten, Blumen, Kräutern und Samen. Sibendens, von allerhandt Edlengesteinen, Corallen, Glass, Saltz, Wein, Oel, Honig, Wachss, Milch, Butter, Käss und Brot, etc. Im achten, von den menschen... Munich, Nikolaus Heinrich, 1612
4to (190 x 140 mm), pp [xxiv] 1048, title in red and black; a fine copy in contemporary blind-stamped vellum over wooden boards, with brass clasps, gilt arms of the Abbey of Lambach on upper cover and the Abbot on the back cover, and their stamp on title. £1450
First edition of this encyclopaedia of the moral, theological, and emblematic significations of various animals, plants, minerals, and other products of the natural world. The title roughly translates as 'The playground and theatre of the world, together with the bittersweet truth. An introduction to many fine and excellent discourses in which not only the natural but also the moral characteristics and mysteries of the noblest of God's creatures are described.'
Albertinus (1560-1620) was secretary to the Elector Maximilian of Bavaria, and a major influence in the development of German secular literature. He was the first to introduce the picaresque novel into Germany.
The botanical content, which is treated allegorically and emblematically, of the present work comprises pp 666-808.
Dünnhaupt I 174 38; Goedecke II 581 29a; NUC: CSt
£1450
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