Physica Curiosa, Sive Mirabilia Naturæ Et Artis Libris XII. Comprehensa, Quibus pleraq;, quæ de Angelis, Dæmonibus, Hominibus, Spectris, Energumenis, Monstris, Portentis, Animalibus, Meteoris.

and Technica curiosa, sive Mirabilia artis, libris XII

“Gaspar Schott, German physicist, born 5 February, 1608, at Konigshofen; died 12 or 22 May, 1666, at Augsburg. He entered the Society of Jesus 20 October, 1627, and on account of the disturbed political condition of Germany was sent to Sicily to complete his studies. While there he taught moral theology and mathematics in the college of his order at Palermo. He also studied for a time at Rome under the well known Athanasius Kircher. He finally returned to his native land after an absence of some thirty years, and spent the remained of his life at Augsburg engaged in the teaching of science and in literary work. Both as professor and as author he did much to awaken an interest in scientific studies in Germany. He was a laborious student and was considered on of the most learned men of his time, while his simple life and deep piety made him an object of veneration to the Protestants as well as to the Catholics of Augsburg. Schott also carried on an extensive correspondence with the leading scientific men of his time, notably with Otto von Guericke, the inventor of the air-pump, ( which is in the Technica) of whom he was an ardent admirer. He was the author of a number of works on mathematics, physics, and magic. They are a mine of curious facts and observations and were formerly much read. His most interesting work is the ‘Magia Universalis Naturae et Artis,’ 4 vols., Wurzburg, 1657-1659, which contains a collection of mathematical problems and large number of physical experiments, notably in optics and acoustics. His ‘Mechanicahydraulica-pneumatica’ (Wurzburg, 1657) contains the first description of von Guericke’s air pump. He also published ‘Pantometricum Kircherianum’ (Wurzburg, 1660); ‘Physica curiosa’ (Wurzburg, 1662), a supplement to the ‘Magia universalis;’ ‘Anatomia physico-hydrostatica fontium et fluminum’ (Wurzburg, 1663), and a ‘Cursus mathematicus’ which passed through several editions. He also edited the ‘Itinerarium exacticum’ of Kircher and the ‘Amussis Ferdinandea’ of Curtz.” (Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. XIII, page 589)

§ 1

675J Gaspar Schott 1608-1666

P. Gasparis Schotti Regis Curiani E Societate Jesu, Olim in Panormitano Siciliæ, nunc in Herbipolitano Franconiæ Gymnasio ejusdem Societatis Jesu Matheseos Professoris, Physica Curiosa, Sive Mirabilia Naturæ Et Artis Libris XII. Comprehensa, Quibus pleraq;, quæ de Angelis, Dæmonibus, Hominibus, Spectris, Energumenis, Monstris, Portentis, Animalibus, Meteoris, &c. rara, arcana, curiosaq; circumferuntur, ad Veritatis trutinam expenduntur, Variis ex Historia ac Philosophia petitis disquisitionibus excutiuntur, & innumeris exemplis illustrantur. Ad Serenissimum Ac Potentissimum Principem Carolum Ludovicum, S.R.I. Electorem, &c. Cum figuris æri incisis, & Privilegio. Editio altera auctior.

Herbipolus [i.e., Wurzburg]: Sumptibus Johannis Andreæ Endteri & Wolffgangi Jun. Hæredum. Excudebat Jobus Hertz Typographus Herbipol, 1667. $6,600

Quarto     π1 [a]² b-g⁴ A-Z4, Aa-Zz4, Aaa-Zzz4 Aaaa-Zzzz4 Aaaaa-Zzzzz4 Aaaaaa-Zzzzzz4 Aaaaaaaa-Pppppppp⁴ Qqqqqqqq² 1389 pages 

This copy lacks the extra illustrated title, and two other engravings the plate for 363 and the folding plate of the famous linden trees of Neustadt am Kocher. (But the Folding plate of the antiquities at Neustadt am Kocher is present.)

This copy has 59 (instead of 61) engraved plates many folded. copper plates. 27 folding , This is bound in Original pigskin over wooden boards with one working clasp and the remains of another.

Physica Curiosa is an encyclopedia of the natural sciences of the age. In keeping with Schott’s character, it compiles many of the illustrations and literature previously published. As with many natural history publications of the era, it depicted fantastical creatures alongside real ones. Divided into twelve books, the first six books are devoted to “miraculous” subjects, including Demons and Angels, spectres, demonic possessions, human and beastly monsters, and portents. Part I is mainly a treatise on demonology, huge encyclopedia of wonder and the occult.Chapters are devoted to angels and demons and their relationships with wizards, ghosts,vampires, incubi and succubi, In great detail, it is followed by depictions of Physical anomalies ( with many interesting images). 

The last six books deal with the “marvels” of nature – real creatures from exotic locales, such as elephants and rhinos.

These descriptions of remarkable animals, including the American sloth, armadillo, & Anteater, the first with the musical notes illustrating its strange song (which also fascinated Harsdörffer); one folding plate illustrates Diego de Gozon killing the dragon of Rhodes, 1345,

Physica Curiosa’s target audience was other scholars, educators, and the rich nobility of the time, as this was the demographic that could afford the publication. Many other creatures presented by Schott exemplify the practice of misrepresenting real creatures, or imposing religious elements on natural entities. 

He wrote many interesting works: the ‘Magia Universalis Naturae et Artis,’ 4 vols., Wurzburg, 1657-1659, which contains a collection of mathematical problems and large number of physical experiments, notably in optics and acoustics.

His ‘Mechanicahydraulica-pneumatica’ (Wurzburg, 1657) contains the first description of von Guericke’s air pump. He also published ‘Pantometricum Kircherianum’ (Wurzburg, 1660); ‘Physica curiosa’ (Wurzburg, 1662), a supplement to the ‘Magia universalis;’

‘Anatomia physico-hydrostatica fontium et fluminum’ (Wurzburg, 1663), and a ‘Cursus mathematicus’ which passed through several editions. He also edited the ‘Itinerarium exacticum’ of Kircher and the ‘Amussis Ferdinandea’ of Curtz.” (Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. XIII, page 589)

De Backer -Sommervogel /VII, 909 8; Caillet 498.VD 17 39:120052P. Dünnhaupt 7.2. Nissen 3746. Ferguson II, 340f. Caillet 10005.

§ 2

661J Gaspar Schott; (1608-1666.) and Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680.)  

P. Gasparis Schotti regiscuriani e societate Jesu, Olim in Panormitano Siciliae, nunc in Herbipolitano Franconiae Gymnasio ejusdem Societatis Jesu Matheseos Professoris : Technica curiosa, sive Mirabilia artis, libris XII. comprehensa; Quibus varia Experimenta, variaq́ue Technasmata Pneumatica, Hydraulica, Hydrotechnica, Mechanica, Graphica, Cyclometrica, Chronometrica, Automatica, Cabalistica, aliaq́ue Artis arcana acmiracula, rara, curiosa, ingeniosa, magnamq́ue partem nova & antehac inaudita, eruditi Orbis utilitati, delectationi, disceptationi-q́ue proponuntur; ad eminentissi mumS.R.I. principem Joannem Philippum elector. mogunt. Cum figuris ori incisis, & Privilegio. 

Norimbergæ :sumptibus Johannis Andreae Endteri, & Wolfgangi junioris hæredum, excudebat Jobus Hertz, typographus herbipol, Prostant Norimbergae apud dictos Endteros, 1664  $7,700 

Two quarto volumes bound in in one. 203 x 150 mm. Signatures:  )(-5)(⁴A-Z⁴ Aa-Rrrrrr⁴ Ssssss².

Bound in full early calf with gilt spine. 42 unnumbered pages, including half-title, frontispiece and title-page, 579, 3 n.n.,583-1044, 12n.n.  Allegorical frontispiece, and a portraitof the dedicatee on the verso of the Frontispiece and his Arms on page. (12), 60 Plates engraved outside the text, many folded, all engraved in copper. The plate 36 of the first part is on p. 97. Previous owner’s ex libris glued to the inside cover. Skillful restoration in style to spine, internally sporadic foxing, some browning and signs of wear, good copy. 

This work is a huge compilation of scientific instruments, mechanical technology, and physical curiosities, in fact every aspect of anything technical that Schott could discover. It includes a detailed account of Otto von Guericke’s experiment with vacuums which took place at Magdeburg in 1654. The work also describes the earliest use of the diving bell, Torricelli’s experiments on the barometer, Boyle’s experiments on air pressure, chronometers, perpetual motion machines; the treatise “Mirabilia chronometrica” gives the first description of a universal joint and a classification of gear teeth.

It gives a very comprehensive account of the state of technology up to the beginning of the Scientific Revolution. Norman: “Gives the first description of a universal joint and the classification of gear teeth.” Tomash & Williams:

“This two-volume work was Schott’s description of the latest technological wonders andexperiments… It includes hundreds of devices used in pneumatics, watermovement, time keeping, cabalistic and secret writings, etc. The most famous section deals with the experiments of Otto van Guericke with vacuums” At theend of the first part, from page 427, Kircher’s work is reprinted as an appendix Kircher’s work: “Specula melitensis encyclica, hoc est syntagma novum instrumentorum physico-mathematicorum” Like most of Schott’s works, the volume is richly illustrated. 

This edition contains a total of 63 copper engravings: allegorical frontispiece, Portrait of the Dedicatee, Prince Johann Philipp von Schönborn, Archbishop Elector of Mainz, on the verso of the title page, and his engraved Arms on p. (12), 60 plates out the text numbered I-XXXIX (with numbering error and two plates numbered both XVI) and I-XXI (with illustrations XVI and XVIII united in a single plate). 

De Backer-Sommervogel vol.VII col. 910; VD1723:232569Q ; Baillie, Clocks Watches, 1664. ;Norman catalogue 1911. ;BL German, 1601-1700,; S1256; Dünnhaupt (2. Aufl.), S. 3820, 11.1