Deux livres des venins, ausquels il est amplement discouru des bestes venimeuses, theriaques, poisons & contrepoisons [...]. Ensemble, les oeuvres de Nicandre, Medecin & Poëte Grec, traduictes en vers François.

2 parts in 1 vol., 4to: [8]-333-[6], 90-[2] pp. (upper right corner of title repaired, minor marg. soiling to the 1st ff., 1st f. of text folded, spotting and browning, some tiny marg. tears, marg. wormholes on pp. 1-22 and marg. wormtrack on pp. 57-106 and on pp. 3-8 of 2nd part).

19th-c. blue polished calf, covers with gilt central ornament ruled with 2 frames of double gilt fillets with gilt corner pieces, gilt orn. spine with raised bands, double gilt fillets on edges, gilt inside dentelles, gilt and marbled edges (spine and front cover faded, corners sl. rubbed, light scratches and stains on covers). Good copy.

First and only French edition of this treatise on toxicology dealing with venoms, poisons, counterpoisons and various theriatrics by Jacques Grévin (ca. 1538-1570). It is illustrated with 52 woodcuts in text showing snakes, scolopendra, scorpions, oysters, spiders, plants (coriander, poppy, aconite...) engraved by Jehan de Gourmont after Geoffroy Ballain. The author is not only a famous physician and publisher of the French Vesalius edition, but also one of the classical dramatists (student of Ronsard). At the end of his life, he was physician to the duchess of Savoy, sister of King Henri II of France. This edition also contains Grévin's translation of "Theriaca" and "Alexipharmaca" by the Greek author Nicander of Colophon (2th c. BC) . This translation was not made from the Greek original, but from the Latin translation of Jean de Gorris. The two works are presented as separate editions, with 2 different titles, but they are normally sold together.
Ref. Voet (Plantin Press), 1266, 1730. - BT 1337. - Adams G-1245. - STC Dutch (BL) 88. - Pettegree NB 13799. - Wellcome 2934. - Durling 2173.
Prov. Bibliothèque du Plessis-Villoutreys (Maine-et-Loire) (2 bookpl.).