Cardanus (Hieronymus) De Subtilitate Libri XXI, Basel, Ludovicus Lucius, 1554 bound with Cardanus (Hieronymus) in C.L. Ptolemaei...de Astrorum Iudiciis...Basel, Henricus Petri, 1554, together 2 works in 1 vol.

Cardanus (Hieronymus) De Subtilitate Libri XXI, collation: α4 β4 γ4 a-z A-Z Aa-Zz4 Aaa6, title with woodcut printer's device recto and portrait of the author verso, woodcut illustrations, diagrams, and historiated initials, final f. blank, Basel, Ludovicus Lucius, 1554 bound with Cardanus (Hieronymus) in C.L. Ptolemaei...de Astrorum Iudiciis...quae non solum Astronomis & Astrologis, sed etiam omnibus philosophiae studio..., collation: a6 b4 A-Z aa-ee6 ff-gg4 hh6 Aa-Hh6 Ii4 Kk6, title with woodcut portrait of author within ornate cartouche, woodcut diagrams, historiated and decorative initials, final f. colophon recto and woodcut printer's device verso, Basel, [Henricus Petri], [March, 1554], together 2 works in 1 vol., some staining or spotting, some light browning, contemporary pigkin over wooden boards, lacking metal clasps, corners worn, soiled, folio (313 x 201mm.)

⁂ Cardanus' encyclopedia of natural sciences, which DSB calls 'a mine of facts, both real and imaginary; of notes on the state of science; of superstition, technology, alchemy, and various branches of the occult', bound with a first edition of his compilation of astrological texts.

Literature: I: Adams C670; VD 16, C 932; Riccardi I, 252, 6.3 - Wellcome I, 1291. II: Adams C680; Houzeau and Lancaster 4856; VD 16 P 5255.

Provenance: Ink ownership inscription of a Basel citizen dated 1560 to foot of title of second mentioned and 'Sum Jacobi ?Ryf..' (contemporary ink inscription beneath colophon of second mentioned.