Ingebern - Chiromantia, Metoposcopia & Physiognomia - 1692
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Selected by Ilaria Colombo
Specialist in old books, specialising in theological disputes since 1999.
Estimate € 500 - € 1,000
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Chiromantia, Metoposcopia & Physiognomia Curioso-Practica by Johann Ingebern, 1st illustrated edition in German, published in Frankfurt am Main by Georg Heinrich Ehrling in 1692, with parchment binding, 204 pages, 161 x 102 mm, in good condition.
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Description from the seller
[Please note that the background setting in some images was created using AI to present the books in a pleasant environment. These background elements do not alter or affect the true representation and condition of the books]
CHIROMANTI, ASTROLOGI E FISIOGNOMISTI : LINEE DELLA MANO, RUGHE DELLA FRONTE E DESTINO
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 manual designed 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 age suspended between superstition, medicine and natural philosophy, these works embody the unmistakable allure of popular occult sciences.
WHY TO BUY
PRIMA EDIZIONE DEL 1692 – Rare first edition of a fascinating German manual devoted to the divinatory arts and the reading of the human body.
CHIROMANZIA E DESTINO – Hands, forehead lines and facial features become maps through which to interpret character, health, fortune and future.
12 TAVOLE – The rich engraved apparatus concretely illustrates the systems of chiromancy, metoposcopy and physiognomy described in the text.
SCIENZA, MAGIA E SUPERSTIZIONE – Emblematic testimony of an era in which astrology, medicine, natural philosophy and occult knowledge still coexisted within the same cultural universe.
MARKET VALUE
German manuals of chiromancy and physiognomy from the 17th century are today relatively rare on the market, especially when complete with the engraved plates. Similar copies, in good condition and with complete illustration apparatus, typically range from 1,200 to 3,500 euros, with higher valuations for copies from important esoteric or occult collections.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Collation: [7], [12 plates], 180, [4] pp. Frontis engraving, title page engraved, 12 copper-engraved plates, initials and headpieces. Later full parchment binding, spine restored. Faded stamp on verso of title page. Some pencil annotations on pp. 98–100. Browning and light stains, but leaves generally fresh and well preserved. Text and engravings clearly legible; binding solid and stable. Overall a fine copy in good condition. In old books with a long biographical history, some imperfections may be present, not always noted in the description.
FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Chiromantia, Metoposcopia & Physiognomia Curioso-Practica, oder Kurtze Anweisung…
Francoforte sul Meno, 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 the character and human destiny from the outward features of the body. Metoposcopy — the reading of forehead lines — and chiromancy were considered semi-scientific tools capable of revealing moral inclinations, fortune, health and temperament. In the late 17th century, such practices continued to exert enormous appeal among the educated public as well as popular readers, placing themselves at the border between medicine, astrology and natural magic. The engraved plates make the volume particularly evocative and testify to the strong visual component of these disciplines.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Johann Ingebern remains a relatively obscure figure in the late-17th-century German occult tradition. His name is mainly linked to practical manuals of chiromancy and physiognomy aimed at an audience curious about the divinatory arts. His works fit into the tradition of popular esoteric dissemination 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 in early German print culture. Frankfurt was then one of the most important European book centers, thanks also to the famous book fair that facilitated the international circulation of scientific, magical and alchemical texts.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
VD17: census of the Frankfurt edition, 1692.
WorldCat, holdings recorded in international libraries.
Caillet, Manuel bibliographique des sciences psychiques et occultes.
Thorndike, History of Magic and Experimental Science.
Wellcome Collection Library, sections dedicated to 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 Translate[Please note that the background setting in some images was created using AI to present the books in a pleasant environment. These background elements do not alter or affect the true representation and condition of the books]
CHIROMANTI, ASTROLOGI E FISIOGNOMISTI : LINEE DELLA MANO, RUGHE DELLA FRONTE E DESTINO
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 manual designed 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 age suspended between superstition, medicine and natural philosophy, these works embody the unmistakable allure of popular occult sciences.
WHY TO BUY
PRIMA EDIZIONE DEL 1692 – Rare first edition of a fascinating German manual devoted to the divinatory arts and the reading of the human body.
CHIROMANZIA E DESTINO – Hands, forehead lines and facial features become maps through which to interpret character, health, fortune and future.
12 TAVOLE – The rich engraved apparatus concretely illustrates the systems of chiromancy, metoposcopy and physiognomy described in the text.
SCIENZA, MAGIA E SUPERSTIZIONE – Emblematic testimony of an era in which astrology, medicine, natural philosophy and occult knowledge still coexisted within the same cultural universe.
MARKET VALUE
German manuals of chiromancy and physiognomy from the 17th century are today relatively rare on the market, especially when complete with the engraved plates. Similar copies, in good condition and with complete illustration apparatus, typically range from 1,200 to 3,500 euros, with higher valuations for copies from important esoteric or occult collections.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Collation: [7], [12 plates], 180, [4] pp. Frontis engraving, title page engraved, 12 copper-engraved plates, initials and headpieces. Later full parchment binding, spine restored. Faded stamp on verso of title page. Some pencil annotations on pp. 98–100. Browning and light stains, but leaves generally fresh and well preserved. Text and engravings clearly legible; binding solid and stable. Overall a fine copy in good condition. In old books with a long biographical history, some imperfections may be present, not always noted in the description.
FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Chiromantia, Metoposcopia & Physiognomia Curioso-Practica, oder Kurtze Anweisung…
Francoforte sul Meno, 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 the character and human destiny from the outward features of the body. Metoposcopy — the reading of forehead lines — and chiromancy were considered semi-scientific tools capable of revealing moral inclinations, fortune, health and temperament. In the late 17th century, such practices continued to exert enormous appeal among the educated public as well as popular readers, placing themselves at the border between medicine, astrology and natural magic. The engraved plates make the volume particularly evocative and testify to the strong visual component of these disciplines.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Johann Ingebern remains a relatively obscure figure in the late-17th-century German occult tradition. His name is mainly linked to practical manuals of chiromancy and physiognomy aimed at an audience curious about the divinatory arts. His works fit into the tradition of popular esoteric dissemination 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 in early German print culture. Frankfurt was then one of the most important European book centers, thanks also to the famous book fair that facilitated the international circulation of scientific, magical and alchemical texts.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
VD17: census of the Frankfurt edition, 1692.
WorldCat, holdings recorded in international libraries.
Caillet, Manuel bibliographique des sciences psychiques et occultes.
Thorndike, History of Magic and Experimental Science.
Wellcome Collection Library, sections dedicated to 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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