Description
Facsimile edition of the original manuscript preserved in the Library of the University of Valencia, Atlas of Natural History of Felipe II, also known as the Pomar Codex.
Pictorial manuscript composed of 218 color plates painted on one-sided paper, the first 47 correspond to the fauna and from there the botany begins. Titles in Latin in 16th century humanistic script. Old pagination in ink in the upper corner, defective: from page 16 it jumps to 21, from 197 it goes back to 180, continuing until the end, modern foliation in pencil on the back of the plates in the lower right corner. Sheet 42 is damaged in the lower left corner.
None of the plates is signed, but a double foliation can be shown that gives the Atlas a great historical-scientific relief. In the first place, a good part of the plates present typical characteristics of Jacobo Ligozzi, one of the most famous sketchers of plants and animals of the 16th century. Second, another part of the Atlas plates corresponds to drawings of American plants and animals made in what is generally considered the first modern scientific expedition: the one destined by Philip II to investigate “the history of natural things in our Indies” . Led by Francisco Hernández, this famous expedition studied Mexican nature from 1571 to 1577.
This manuscript constitutes an exceptionally important source of Renaissance botanical and zoological iconography. Its provenance has a high historical significance: it was given by Felipe II to Jaime Honorato Pomar, holder of the chair of “herbes” or medical botany at the University of Valencia, the first devoted to this matter in the Hispanic kingdoms and one of the most from all over Europe.
1990 facsimile edition of the original kept in the General and Historical Library of the University of Valencia. Limited edition of 3,000 copies and notarized. Ingrés paper, Guarro Casas, specially manufactured with the same characteristics as the original dated 16th century.
Facsimile of the pictorial manuscript bound in brown leather, ribbed spine, golden title on the spine and upper plane. Format 24.5 x 34.5 cm. 468 pages.
Complementary study book also bound in brown leather, ribbed spine, golden title on the spine and upper plane. Format 24 x 34.5 cm. 140 pages. Scientific study of the codex and historical and particular antecedents of the work, written by Professor José María López Piñero (Professor of History of Medicine at the University of Valencia, Director of the Institute for Documentary and Historical Studies on Science of the CSIC) and translated into English by Thomas F. Glick (Chancellor of Boston University). Texts in Spanish and English.
This work was awarded as the best book published in Spain in 1990. The ideal gift for any botanist, biologist and bibliophile in general.
Complete copy, with its notarial certificate and in perfect condition, exclusive in this presentation.
Shipping by the buyer, upon request and destination. Ask us without obligation (indicating the reference of the article) any doubt.
