Les Memoires et histoire de l' origine, invention & autheurs des choses, faicte en Latin, & divisee en huict livres, par Polydore Vergill natif d' Urbin: & traduicte par Francois de Belleforest comingeois. Avec une table tres-ample des

by VERGIL, Polydore

Price: $1,250.00
Shipping rates & speeds | 30 Day Return Guarantee Ask bookseller a question | E-mail to a friend

Paris: Robert le Mangnier, 1582. Second French Edition. 8vo. pp. [12], 863, [1], [100 - index]. Bound with Alexandre Sarde's, "Suite des memoires et histoire de l' origine invention, & autheurs des choses &c sciences, a l' imitation de Polidore Virgile, divise en deux livres." Lyon: Jean Stratius, 1584. pp. [6], 86, [2]. Text with occasional decorative initials. Woodcut printer's device on title page. Bound in 19th century half vellum. Bookplate on inside front cover. Pages are lightly tanned. A couple words neatly underlined in an old hand on p. 91. Top margin is trimmed rather closely affecting some marginal running titles in the Sardie book. Polydore Vergil (1470?-1555) was a native of Urbino who came to England and held various ecclesiastical positions. His book "De Inventionibus de rerum" was first published in Venice, 1499 (and with additions in Basel, 1521). The work discusses the origins of human knowledge in all fields - i.e. theology, science, technology, literature and law. Much information is also included on occult matters with sections devoted to pagan religion, divination, magic, pharmacy, astrology, etc. Some controversy arose over the fifth book which argues that the Church calendar festivals are derived from the festivals of pagan Rome. P. Vergil describes the Roman New Year and the Saturnalia, and then compares them with contemporary practices. For this reason the Council of Trent condemned the book and placed it on the "Index Prohibitorum." Scarce edition. Only 1 copy in COPAC. [Caillet 11089; Ferguson, Secrets II, Supplement I, p.4-5; French STC, p.437; Beckmann, p.576; Cioranescu 3427; Brunet V, 1137; Not in Adams].

Bookseller Terms of Sale

30 day return guarantee, with full refund including shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged. All listings subject to prior sale. Customers who wish to use credit cards, please make your purchase through biblio.com. All items payable in U.S. dollars, by checks drawn on a U.S. bank or by U.S. postal money order. Bank/wire transfer can also be arranged. All checks must clear before shipping. Massachusetts residents must add 6.25% sales tax.