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

[14]-240-[14-2] pp. (browned, some spotting, some sm. marg. tears at bottom, larger tear p. 57 reaching text & woodcut, sm. hole in p. 59, large fold. cross section pl. and next f. torn and clumsily rep.) [bound with] ID. - Sphinx mystagoga, sive Diatribe hieroglyphica, qua mumiae, ex Memphiticis pyramidum adytis erutae & [...]. Ibid., 1676, [16]-72-[6] pp. (browned, some spotting and staining, sm. wormtrack in blank margin of quires B-E, 1 fold. pl. clumsily rep.). 2 works in 1 vol., folio.

Cont. blind-stamped calf over wood, covers with blind-ruled frames, edges bevelled inside, spine on 5 raised bands, 2 (of 4) sm. metal corner pieces pres., marbl. endpapers. Rather obtrusive 19th-c. additions to the binding, in gilt or blind-tooled brown morocco: corners, metal clasps and catches on leather tongues, raised bands and panels on spine, three central panels on each cover (rubbed, 1 clasp loosening, some soiling on back cover).

1. 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 portr. of the dedicatee Charles II of Spain by C. Decker, 11 sm. pls in text, +/- 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. pls 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 (i.a. BL). - Bn-Opale plus. Prov. Ownership entry on title crossed out. 2. Rare first edition of Kircher's very influential work on Egyptology, also one of the earliest modern - erroneous - attempts to decipher hieroglyphics. Engr. ill.: 5 sm. pls in text, 2 full-page pls, 3 folding pls and many sm. woodcuts, showing pyramids, mummies, a tomb and many hieroglyphs. Ref. DBS IV:1069:34. - Caillet 5793. - Brunet III:668. - STCN (i.a. BL). - Bn-Opale plus.