KIRCHER (R.P. Athanasius). Physiologia Kircheriana Experimentalis, qua summa argumentorum multitudine et varietate. Naturalium rerum scientia per experimenta physica, mathematica, medica, chymica, musica, magnetica, mechanice comprobatur atque stabilitur.... redegit Johann Stephan Kestler. Amsterdam, ex. offic. Janssonio-Weisbergiana, 1680, in folio, d'un front. gravé 3ff. 248pp. 4ff., ill. de très nbr. figures sur bois scientifiques in t. et de qq. gravures sur cuivre à mi-page, pl. vélin époque à recouvrement, dos orné, p. de t. brune, restauration ancienne au dos, brunissures sinon bon exemplaire (ex-libris gravé Piergiorgio Borio)
4 800 €
Edition originale, publiée l'année de la mort de Kircher par Johann Stephan Kestler, élève du Père Kircher. C'est un vaste compendium des recherches du savant jésuite dans tous les domaines : physique, lumière, magnétisme, acoustique, musique, alchimie, hydraulique etc... ¶ Merrill 29 "This work, edited by one of Kircher's pupils, Johann Stephan Kestler, is a codification of Kircher's observations and experiments across the entire spectrum of his researches in physics. Naturally there are large sections on light and shadow, magnetism, acoustics, and music; but there are also experiments and observations in hydraulics, alchemy, and a myriad of other topics. This compendium was perhaps a response to entreaties from Kircher's fellow scientists, who appreciated his keen observations and experiments but did not care to wade through some forty volumes to glean them. The book is an example of what Kircher's writings could have been like at the hands of a good editor. Kircher died the year this book was published, and it is uncertain to what extent he was involved in its publication. The Physiologia is not only a measure of Kircher's scientific curiosity and the vast range of his scientific researches, but also a barometer of his age, a catalogue of the scientific concerns of his time" - Garrison-Morton 580 "Includes the first recorded experiment in hypnotism in animals." - Caillet n°5796 "curieux et peu commun" - coll. Honeyman n°1834 - Krivatsy n°6404 - Waller n°10869 - Wellcome III, p.396
