De fide et legibus.
[Augsburg, Günther Zainer 1475/6].
Folio (278 x 186 mm.). [ii], [275]p. Gothic type, initial spaces left blank.
19th-century gilt-ruled speckled calf (J. Mackenzie; rubbed), spine and red morocco label gilt (crown neatly repaired), red edges.
Editio Princeps of the first printed work of William of Auvergne (c. 1180-1249), originally composed 1228-30 as part of his encyclopedic Magisterium divinale. In his youth William read widely in books of judicial astronomy, magic and sorcery. HE WAS A FORERUNNER OF ROGER BACON AND ALBERTUS MAGNUS, and “one of the first wave of thinkers in the Latin West to engage with the writings on natural philosophy and metaphysics by Greek, Islamic, and Jewish thinkers that had recently become available in Latin translations” (Lewis et al.). With these newly recovered works on the occult sciences, he framed “a new philosophical vision of magic as applied knowledge” rather than demonic activity (Hansen).
He examines superstitions associated with, i.a., the stars, the elements, images, words, names, seasons, new undertakings, the finding of objects, dreams, alchemy, gemstones, minerals, metals and seeing the future in children’s fingernails. In good condition, bookplate of the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica.
¶Sarton, Introduction to the History of Science II: 219; Lewis & Fischer, "William of Auvergne” in The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2023) edd. Zalta & Nodelman online; Hansen, “Bookish Magic” in Dictionary of the Middle Ages 8: 37; Quentin, Naturkenntnisse und Naturanschauungen bei Wilhelm von Auvergne 19-21 & 58-60; ISTC ig00711000; Goff G-711.
Price: $12,500.00