[FIRST EDITION] Lazaro Grandi - Alfabeto di secreti medicinali - 1679

DESCRIPTION: I present at auction an exceptionally rare and fascinating first edition of the XVIIth-century literature of “secrets”: the Alfabeto di Secreti Medicinali, written by the Venetian physician Lazaro Grandi and dedicated to his relative Giacomo Grandi, prior of the prestigious College of Physicians of Venice and reader of anatomy.

Printed in Venice in 1679 by Zattoni (Con Licenza de’ Superiori), this pocket-sized coveted manual alphabetically gathers an unusual compendium of alchemical remedies, folk recipes, cosmetic formulas, secrets for the treatment of intimate or shameful conditions, and a separate treatise entirely devoted to the arts of hunting and fishing.

This is a piece of absolute bibliographic rarity, currently the only copy of this edition for sale on the international market.

SECRET REMEDIES, COSMETICS AND THE MOST MORBID AND CURIOUS AFFECTIONS:

The main commercial appeal of this compendium lies in its uncensored catalog of secret recipes and home remedies for everyday ailments, taboos and infectious diseases of the Baroque era:

+ Cosmetic and Female Beauty: Secret recipes to remove facial blemishes (Faccia, leuarli le macchie), remove freckles and wrinkles (Faccia, leuarli le crespe, e lentichie), treat the face scarred by leprosy or sun damage (Faccia cotta dal Sole) and tricks to make the face look youthful (Faccia, farla parere di giouine).

+ Treatments for Intimate and Repulsive Ailments: Sections devoted to the growths and illnesses of the breasts (Settole delle mammelle), genitalia and virility (Verga gonfiata), tinea (Tigna), scrofula (Scrofole), intestinal parasites (Vermi) and remedies to provoke or stop menstrual flow (Mestruo).

+ Syrups, Alchemy and Strong Purges: Formulas based on syrups of prunes, amber, lemon juice, quintessences of cloves (Quint’essenza di garofoli) and purgative dishes of coloquinth or helmed with strong wines tested at the Venetian high nobility.

THE EASIEST ART OF HUNTING AND FISHING (ARTE FACILISSIMA D'UCCELLARE E PESCARE)

Towards the end of the volume is included, with its own title page, the treatise “Arte facilissima d'Uccellare, e Pescare per ricreatione,” a practical and ingenious guide to catching birds and fish:

+ Secret Techniques of Hunting with Decoy Birds: Methods to trap owls (Ciuetta), ravens, small birds, eagles (Guffo), pheasants (Faggiano), falcons (Falconi) and partridges (Pernici) using traps, nets (Lacci), sound lures and viscous bindings (Vischio).

+ Mystical Stories about Fishing: Cites accounts of Cicero and Plutarch on the pagan veneration of fish by Venus in Syria, the customs of Emperor Frederick II fishing with his own hands, and the fortunes amassed by Roman patricians in their private pools.

PUBLICATION YEAR: Venice (Italy) 1679. FIRST EDITION.
LANGUAGE: Italian (Original Version)
SIZE AND PAGES: Dimensions: 15 x 10 cm. Pagination: [2] + Title Page + 217 + [1] + 22 + [2] pp. COMPLETE WORK
CONDITION: Original full parchment leather binding, in good overall condition, with some wear and signs of use, as shown in the photos. Spine with three raised bands. The interior is in good overall condition, with some oxide spots inherent to the paper composition, as shown in the photos.

VERY RARE AND HIGHLY COVETED FIRST EDITION. ONLY COPY ON THE MARKET. DO NOT LET IT SLIP AWAY.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SHIPPING POLICY:

Shipping costs are grouped to save you money. Economical shipping with major carriers:

Spain --> with CTT Express 24h or CORREOS
Europe --> with UPS Express 48-72h / FedEx Express 48-72h (Some countries may have longer transit times)
United States --> with UPS Express 48h / FedEx Express 48h (We have been informed by our customers that these companies are less strict or do not apply the new 15% tax to imported products)
China --> with UPS Express 24h
Rest of World --> with UPS Express 48h / FedEx Express 48h

*Books will be carefully packed so they travel comfortably to their new home.