2 volumes, 4to (262 x 200 mm), pp [xviii] 248 [12], with 25 engraved plates (6 folding, fore-edges of 2 others folded in); [x] 306 [26], with 77 engraved botanical plates (including 5 unnumbered), with additional folding engraved frontispiece portrait of Alpini by Blokhuysen, not called for, inserted in vol I (with creases from folding in both directions, and a small tear in the margin); first and last leaves in both volumes slightly browned, library stamp and shelf mark on front endpapers and verso of titles, a fine, large copy in contemporary vellum, red morocco labels. £1500
First edition, large-paper copy, of Alpini's Rerum Aegyptiarum, contained in the first volume, 'a pioneer and undeservedly neglected contribution to Egyptology. Edited after Alpini's death by Bartolomeo Cellari, it contains a wealth of information on the natural history (including zoology and mineralogy), customs, and ancient monuments of Egypt' (DSB). The second volume contains Alpini's work on the plants of Egypt, first published in 1592, a pioneer study of Egyptian flora which introduced exotic plants to European botanical circles. The editor used the 1640 edition, which was annotated by Johann Vesling (1598-1649).
Nissen 20; Johnston 378; Pritzel 113; C.A. Wod p 188.
GBP 1500.00
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