BOREL, Pierre.

Lot 7
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Estimation :
1200 - 1500 EUR
BOREL, Pierre.
Treasure of research and antiques from Gallic and Francois countries, reduced in alphabetical order. And enriched by many origins, epitaphs, & other rare things, as well as many words from the Thyoise or Theuthfranque language. Paris, Augustin Courbé, 1655. In-4 of 52 ff.n.ch. 611 pp., 11 ff.n.ch.; Speckled calf, floral roulette framing the dishes, gold mention "Malmaison" on the upper plate, back with nerves, foot box decorated with the number "PB" gilded, yellow edges (18th century binding). Brunet, I, 1112 ("unusual"); Graesse, I, 495 ("curious book"). Interesting and very complete first edition etymological dictionary of French antiques. There are also biographies of the alchemists Nicolas Flamel (pp. 158-166) and Michael Sendivogius (pp. 474-489). Pierre Borel (ca. 1620-1671), alchemist, physicist and botanist, was born in Castres; he wrote one of the very first bibliographies devoted to works on chemistry (Bibliotheca Chimica, 1654), and he is the author of the first biography of Descartes. Copy from the library of the Château de la Malmaison. He carries on his back the monogram of Empress Josephine, PB (Pagerie-Bonaparte). Small worm work on the margins, corner pp. 199/200 ripped off; rubbed binding and with old restorations. Other provenance: Groeninghe Velt (ex-libris).
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