图片文件尺寸 : 3910 x 5802px
KIRCHER, ATHANASIUS. 1602–1680. :Arca Noë, in Tres Libros Digesta. Amsterdam: Johannes Janssonius, 1675.
Folio (385 x 255 mm). Engraved additional title, engraved portrait of dedicatee Charles II of Spain by C. Decker, 19 engraved plates on 18 sheets (13 folding or double-page), 3 engraved maps (2 folding), numerous engraved illustrations and woodcuts to text throughout, including over 100 birds and animals, initials and tailpieces. Full green crushed morocco, gilt; occasional foxing and spotting, faint crease to lower corner throughout most of text block, one map remounted, in custom cloth slipcase. Note card with Vishniac\’s handwritten list of some of the animals depicted laid-in.
FIRST EDITION of Kircher\’s \”fanciful and speculative elucidation of the biblical story of the Flood. Kircher figures such specifics as the year of the Flood, the time form the first raindrop until Noah stepped out on dry land, the dimensions and shape of the ark (considered symbolic of the human body bearing the soul), the materials the ark was made of, where the various animals were placed, which animals would have been excluded, where the ark landed, and where everyone dispersed after the Flood\” (Merrill). Among the numerous delightful woodcuts of animals are imaginary creatures such as the mermaid, unicorn and gryphon. The plates depict the Flood, the construction and plan of the arc, and maps of the world, including Eden and Paradise. Backer-Sommervogel IV, 1068, 33; Caillet 5768; Merrill 26; Nissen ZBI, 2195.
