Ingebern - Chiromantia, Metoposcopia & Physiognomia - 1692
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Description from the seller
MOVE YOUR HAND, Forehead Lines and Fate: CHIROMANTISTS, ASTROLOGERS AND FISIOGNOMISTS
This very rare first edition of Chiromantia, Metoposcopia & Physiognomia Curioso-Practica constitutes an extraordinary example of the persistence of divinatory arts in late 17th-century Europe. The volume presents itself as a practical compendium intended to teach the reader how to interpret health, fortune, and moral inclinations through the signs of the human body. The hand, the forehead, and the face are read as symbolic surfaces capable of revealing the character and destiny of the individual. In an era suspended between superstition, medicine, and natural philosophy, these works perfectly embody the ambiguous allure of popular occult sciences.
MARKET VALUE
German manuals on chiromancy and physiognomy from the 17th century are today relatively rare on the market, especially when complete with engraved plates. Similar copies, in good condition and with full illustrations, generally range between €1,200 and €3,500, with higher valuations for copies from major esoteric or occult collections.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION
Collation: [7], [12 plates], 180, [4] pp. Frontispiece engraved, title page engraved, 12 copper-plate plates out of text, initials and ornaments. Later full parchment binding, spine restored. Faded stamp on the verso of the frontispiece. Some pencil annotations on pp. 98–100. Foxing and light stains, but pages generally fresh and well preserved. Text and engravings clearly legible; binding solid and stable. Overall excellent copy in good condition. In old books with a long history, some imperfections may be present, not always noted in the description.
FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Chiromantia, Metoposcopia & Physiognomia Curioso-Practica, oder Kurtze Anweisung…
Frankfurt am Main, Georg Heinrich Ehrling, 1692.
Johann Ingebern.
CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
This work belongs to the broad European tradition of practical physiognomy, a discipline that claimed to interpret character and human destiny through outward bodily features. Metoposcopy — the reading of forehead lines — and chiromancy were regarded as semi-scientific tools capable of revealing moral inclinations, fortune, health, and temperament. In the late 17th century, these practices continued to exert enormous appeal among the educated public as well as among popular readers, placing themselves at the border between medicine, astrology, and natural magic. The engraved plates make the volume particularly evocative and attest to the strong visual component of these disciplines.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Johann Ingebern remains a relatively obscure figure within the late 17th-century German occult tradition. His name is mainly associated with practical manuals of chiromancy and physiognomy aimed at a curious audience of divinatory arts. His works fit into the thread of popular esoteric divulgation developed in the German-speaking area between the 17th and 18th centuries.
PRINTING HISTORY AND CIRCULATION
Printed in Frankfurt in 1692 by Georg Heinrich Ehrling, this first edition reflects the persistent commercial interest in divination manuals within German publishing houses of the late 17th century. Frankfurt then stood as one of the most important European book centers, also thanks to the famous Book Fair, which facilitated international circulation of scientific, magical, and Hermetic texts.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
VD17: census of the Frankfurt edition, 1692.
WorldCat, copies catalogued in international libraries.
Caillet, Manuel bibliographique des sciences psychiques et occultes.
Thorndike, History of Magic and Experimental Science.
Wellcome Collection Library, sections on chiromancy and physiognomy.
Seller's Story
Luxury Books: Your Go-To Guide for Nabbing Literary Treasures!
Embarking on the thrilling journey of collecting rare and timeless printed works? Here's your snappy rundown, "The Collector's Cheat Sheet," to ensure you're not just flipping pages but stacking up the value:
1. Edition and Rarity: Rarity is the name of the game. First editions, limited printings, and books flaunting unique features like eye-catching illustrations or mind-blowing bindings? Consider them the VIPs of the collector's world.
2. Condition & Dimension: Picture this – a book in mint condition, untouched by the woes of wear and tear. Now, flip the script: wear, foxing, discoloration – they're the villains here. And don't forget to size up the dimensions, because a book's size matters in the collector's universe.
3. Authenticity: In a world of replicas and forgeries, verifying a book's authenticity is your superhero move. Expert examination and authentication – your trusty sidekicks in this quest.
4. Provenance: Who owned it before you? If the book has hobnobbed with famous figures or danced through historical events, its value skyrockets. Every book has a story, but some have blockbuster tales.
5. Demand and Market Trends: Think of book values as the stock market of the literary world. Stay savvy on collector trends and market shifts to ride the waves of value.
6. Subject Matter: Some topics are like fine wine – they get better with time. Dive into subjects with a timeless appeal or ride the wave of emerging cultural and historical relevance.
7. Binding and Design: Beauty is more than skin deep. Intricate bindings, stunning covers, and illustrations – these are the accessories that make a book runway-ready in the collector's eyes.
8. Association Copies: Books with a personal touch – whether it's a connection to the author or a famous personality – elevate the historical vibes. A book with a backstory? Count us in.
9. Investment Potential: Passion is the engine, but some collectors eye future returns. Keep in mind, though, that the book market can be as unpredictable as a plot twist.
10. Expert Advice: New to the game? Don't play solo. Seek wisdom from the book gurus, hit up book fairs, and join collector communities. We at Luxury Books are the Yodas of the rare book galaxy, helping you build collections that scream sophistication and cultural clout.
Because collecting rare books isn't just about dollar signs – it's a journey of preserving heritage and embracing literary treasures. Happy collecting!
Translated by Google TranslateMOVE YOUR HAND, Forehead Lines and Fate: CHIROMANTISTS, ASTROLOGERS AND FISIOGNOMISTS
This very rare first edition of Chiromantia, Metoposcopia & Physiognomia Curioso-Practica constitutes an extraordinary example of the persistence of divinatory arts in late 17th-century Europe. The volume presents itself as a practical compendium intended to teach the reader how to interpret health, fortune, and moral inclinations through the signs of the human body. The hand, the forehead, and the face are read as symbolic surfaces capable of revealing the character and destiny of the individual. In an era suspended between superstition, medicine, and natural philosophy, these works perfectly embody the ambiguous allure of popular occult sciences.
MARKET VALUE
German manuals on chiromancy and physiognomy from the 17th century are today relatively rare on the market, especially when complete with engraved plates. Similar copies, in good condition and with full illustrations, generally range between €1,200 and €3,500, with higher valuations for copies from major esoteric or occult collections.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION
Collation: [7], [12 plates], 180, [4] pp. Frontispiece engraved, title page engraved, 12 copper-plate plates out of text, initials and ornaments. Later full parchment binding, spine restored. Faded stamp on the verso of the frontispiece. Some pencil annotations on pp. 98–100. Foxing and light stains, but pages generally fresh and well preserved. Text and engravings clearly legible; binding solid and stable. Overall excellent copy in good condition. In old books with a long history, some imperfections may be present, not always noted in the description.
FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Chiromantia, Metoposcopia & Physiognomia Curioso-Practica, oder Kurtze Anweisung…
Frankfurt am Main, Georg Heinrich Ehrling, 1692.
Johann Ingebern.
CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
This work belongs to the broad European tradition of practical physiognomy, a discipline that claimed to interpret character and human destiny through outward bodily features. Metoposcopy — the reading of forehead lines — and chiromancy were regarded as semi-scientific tools capable of revealing moral inclinations, fortune, health, and temperament. In the late 17th century, these practices continued to exert enormous appeal among the educated public as well as among popular readers, placing themselves at the border between medicine, astrology, and natural magic. The engraved plates make the volume particularly evocative and attest to the strong visual component of these disciplines.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Johann Ingebern remains a relatively obscure figure within the late 17th-century German occult tradition. His name is mainly associated with practical manuals of chiromancy and physiognomy aimed at a curious audience of divinatory arts. His works fit into the thread of popular esoteric divulgation developed in the German-speaking area between the 17th and 18th centuries.
PRINTING HISTORY AND CIRCULATION
Printed in Frankfurt in 1692 by Georg Heinrich Ehrling, this first edition reflects the persistent commercial interest in divination manuals within German publishing houses of the late 17th century. Frankfurt then stood as one of the most important European book centers, also thanks to the famous Book Fair, which facilitated international circulation of scientific, magical, and Hermetic texts.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
VD17: census of the Frankfurt edition, 1692.
WorldCat, copies catalogued in international libraries.
Caillet, Manuel bibliographique des sciences psychiques et occultes.
Thorndike, History of Magic and Experimental Science.
Wellcome Collection Library, sections on chiromancy and physiognomy.
Seller's Story
Luxury Books: Your Go-To Guide for Nabbing Literary Treasures!
Embarking on the thrilling journey of collecting rare and timeless printed works? Here's your snappy rundown, "The Collector's Cheat Sheet," to ensure you're not just flipping pages but stacking up the value:
1. Edition and Rarity: Rarity is the name of the game. First editions, limited printings, and books flaunting unique features like eye-catching illustrations or mind-blowing bindings? Consider them the VIPs of the collector's world.
2. Condition & Dimension: Picture this – a book in mint condition, untouched by the woes of wear and tear. Now, flip the script: wear, foxing, discoloration – they're the villains here. And don't forget to size up the dimensions, because a book's size matters in the collector's universe.
3. Authenticity: In a world of replicas and forgeries, verifying a book's authenticity is your superhero move. Expert examination and authentication – your trusty sidekicks in this quest.
4. Provenance: Who owned it before you? If the book has hobnobbed with famous figures or danced through historical events, its value skyrockets. Every book has a story, but some have blockbuster tales.
5. Demand and Market Trends: Think of book values as the stock market of the literary world. Stay savvy on collector trends and market shifts to ride the waves of value.
6. Subject Matter: Some topics are like fine wine – they get better with time. Dive into subjects with a timeless appeal or ride the wave of emerging cultural and historical relevance.
7. Binding and Design: Beauty is more than skin deep. Intricate bindings, stunning covers, and illustrations – these are the accessories that make a book runway-ready in the collector's eyes.
8. Association Copies: Books with a personal touch – whether it's a connection to the author or a famous personality – elevate the historical vibes. A book with a backstory? Count us in.
9. Investment Potential: Passion is the engine, but some collectors eye future returns. Keep in mind, though, that the book market can be as unpredictable as a plot twist.
10. Expert Advice: New to the game? Don't play solo. Seek wisdom from the book gurus, hit up book fairs, and join collector communities. We at Luxury Books are the Yodas of the rare book galaxy, helping you build collections that scream sophistication and cultural clout.
Because collecting rare books isn't just about dollar signs – it's a journey of preserving heritage and embracing literary treasures. Happy collecting!
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Number of books
1
Subject
Esotericism
Book title
Chiromantia, Metoposcopia & Physiognomia
Author/ Illustrator
Ingebern
Condition
Good
Publication year oldest item
1692
Height
161 mm
Edition
1st Edition Thus, Illustrated Edition
Width
102 mm
Language
German
Original language
Yes
Publisher
Francoforte sul Meno, Georg Heinrich Ehrling, 1692
Binding/ Material
Vellum
Number of pages
204
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