Louis Bertrand Castel - Esprit, Saillies et Singularités du P. Castel. - 1763
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Rare original French edition (1763) by Louis Bertrand Castel, titled Esprit, Saillies et Singularités du P. Castel., 393 pages, on the subjects of music, science and philosophy, bound in a contemporary full calf binding with marbled leather and gold-tooling, containing the description of the “clavecin pour les yeux” on pages 278–348.
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Description from the seller
Rare original edition of this collection of the best texts by the famous Père Castel (1688-1755).
Including the description of his famous 'harpsichord for the eyes,' an invention that associates a color with each note. This harpsichord is described here on pages 278-348. It is, along with two articles in the Journal de Trévoux, the only published description of this harpsichord. It also includes a short biography of Père Castel and 46 essays on topics such as music, colors, the debate between Descartes and Newton, movement, and various philosophical subjects.
Renowned for his research on colors, Castel (1688-1755) also exercised his mind as a physicist and critic on music. It is thus that he conceived this fabulous invention of a color keyboard, an optical and musical instrument, the first attempt at osmosis between two traditionally separate sensory and artistic perceptions.
Preserved in an original full brown marbled calf binding. Spine with gilt raised bands decorated with gilt panels adorned with small tools, a pastedown title piece, and gilt lettering, with red edges.
Condition: Good copy, with a solid binding showing some defects: re-glued leather at the headbands, pierced corners, rubbing on the edges and covers. Interior well preserved, fresh and clean overall, with some rare foxing in the margins and discreet pencil annotations.
Rare publication
Louis Bertrand Castel
Spirit, Witticisms, and Singularities of P. Castel.
At Vincent's, in Paris, 1763
In-12 (16x10cm); of XXXVI-393-(2) pages
Seller's Story
We are looking for old books for our bibliophile customers. We currently have a strong demand on the web.
On-site withdrawals are only from MONDAY TO FRIDAY, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Passage Bookstore - Gribaudo Vandamme Bookstore
48-62 Passage Jouffroy - 75009 Paris
Translated by Google TranslateRare original edition of this collection of the best texts by the famous Père Castel (1688-1755).
Including the description of his famous 'harpsichord for the eyes,' an invention that associates a color with each note. This harpsichord is described here on pages 278-348. It is, along with two articles in the Journal de Trévoux, the only published description of this harpsichord. It also includes a short biography of Père Castel and 46 essays on topics such as music, colors, the debate between Descartes and Newton, movement, and various philosophical subjects.
Renowned for his research on colors, Castel (1688-1755) also exercised his mind as a physicist and critic on music. It is thus that he conceived this fabulous invention of a color keyboard, an optical and musical instrument, the first attempt at osmosis between two traditionally separate sensory and artistic perceptions.
Preserved in an original full brown marbled calf binding. Spine with gilt raised bands decorated with gilt panels adorned with small tools, a pastedown title piece, and gilt lettering, with red edges.
Condition: Good copy, with a solid binding showing some defects: re-glued leather at the headbands, pierced corners, rubbing on the edges and covers. Interior well preserved, fresh and clean overall, with some rare foxing in the margins and discreet pencil annotations.
Rare publication
Louis Bertrand Castel
Spirit, Witticisms, and Singularities of P. Castel.
At Vincent's, in Paris, 1763
In-12 (16x10cm); of XXXVI-393-(2) pages
Seller's Story
We are looking for old books for our bibliophile customers. We currently have a strong demand on the web.
On-site withdrawals are only from MONDAY TO FRIDAY, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Passage Bookstore - Gribaudo Vandamme Bookstore
48-62 Passage Jouffroy - 75009 Paris
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Number of Books
1
Subject
Music, Philosophy, Science
Book Title
Esprit, Saillies et Singularités du P. Castel.
Author/ Illustrator
Louis Bertrand Castel
Condition
Good
Publication year oldest item
1763
Edition
1st Edition
Language
French
Original language
Yes
Number of pages
393
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