Arca Noë, in tres libros digesta [...].

Folio: [16 incl. engr. title]-240-[16] pp.; 20 pl. (sm. stain and sm. marg. hole in fold. pl., occ. toning, few spots).

Contemp. mottled sheep, gilt-orn. spine with raised bands (corners rather heavily bumped, head and tail sl. damaged).

Rare first edition of this fascinating work by the Jesuit A. Kircher (1602-1680), sometimes called "The Master of a hundred arts" or "The last Renaissance man". By bringing together his scientific knowledge and the biblical story of the ark, the author endeavours to draw up a historical reality of the Great Flood. He determines the size and the shape of the ark, designs maps ante and post "diluvium" and gives an overview of all the animal species on board. Engr. ill.: title, full-page portrait of the dedicatee Charles II of Spain by C. Decker, 11 sm. in-text ill., +/- 100 woodcuts depicting all kinds of animals and 19 full-page plates and maps (of which 14 folding), i.a. a fold. map "De orbis terrestris post diluvium", fold. pl. showing the construction of the ark, the boarding of the animals, the flood, the post-diluvian world, a topography of paradise and a very large cross section of the ark with all the animal couples in their separate compartments.
Ref. DBS IV:1068-69:33. - Nissen (ZBI) 2195. - Caillet 5768. - Brunet III:666. - STCN.
Prov. Peter Anth, pastor (bookpl.). - W. Klerck (old ms. entry).