NICANDRE. - Lot 49

NICANDRE. Nicandri Colophonii poetæ et medici antiquissimi clarissimique Alexipharmaca. Jo. Gorræo Parisiensi medico interprete. Ejusdem interpretis in Alexipharmaca Præfatio, omnem de venenis disputationem summatim complectens, & Annotationes. Ad Reverendis. doctissimumque Cardinalem Jo. Bellaium Episcopum Parisiensem. Paris : Vascosan, 1549. - In-8, 170 x 112 : 70 ff, (2 ff. last blank). Soft parchment, binding marks on edges of boards, smooth spine (period binding). First edition of the translation into Latin verse by the physician Jean de Gorris (1505-1577), of the Alexipharmaques by the Greek physician and poet Nicander (0250?-0170 BC). This is a didactic poem dedicated to poisons, venoms and toxic substances. In over 600 verses, it describes the different types of toxins, both animal and vegetable, as well as antidotes and therapeutic practices that combine medical knowledge, magical beliefs and natural remedies. The edition is bilingual, Greek-French, and includes extensive commentary by the translator. It opens with a long preface by the translator, dedicated to Cardinal Jean Du Bellay. Remarkable impression by the famous printer Michel de Vascosan, son-in-law of the printer and bookseller Josse Bade. A sworn bookseller at the University of Paris from 1528, he became the King's printer in 1561. A fine copy from the library of the Carmes de Rennes, donated to this institution by Rennes physician François Cardose. The bookplates of these two sources appear on the title. At least one other work with the same provenance can be found in the Rennes Métropole library. Some soiling and staining to binding, three small holes to spine. Missing links. A few handwritten notes in the margins of the preface. Provenance: François Cardose, with handwritten bookplate "Francisci Cardosii R. Medici" (17th century?). - Carmes de Rennes, with handwritten bookplate. - Unidentified monogram at the top of the title and handwritten mark "1708 Y. 440" opposite it, which is repeated in ink at the bottom of the spine.