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ILLUSTRATED BY LARGE PRINTS OF FIGHTING AND GYMNASTICS
First illustrated Giuntina edition, after the first of 1569 (illustrated with only one plate).
23 beautiful full-page woodcut figures, drawn by the author himself and by Pirro Ligorio and engraved in wood by Cristoforo Coriolani: they depict gymnasiums, baths, games and gymnastic exercises, competitions and equipment.
Refs: Krivatsy 7785. Garrison Morton 1593. Mortimer Italian 302. Brunet III 1646. Wellcome IV, p.116.; N. Siraisi. p. 236.; History, Antiquarianism, and Medicine: The Case of Girolamo Mercuriale; Journal of the History of Ideas, Vol.64, No.2 (2003).
CONTENTS
This edition is the first illustrated with the large plates of fights and gymnastics.
The first sports medicine book. Mercuriale, professor of medicine in Bologna and Pisa, is probably known to modern scholars of medical history above all for the present work. It was the first comprehensive text on gymnastics and emphasizes the importance of all forms of exercise in body care.
Building on ancient practices, the work is an excellent compendium of physical therapy from ancient times, from Hippocrates onwards.
Second edition but first illustrated of this work dedicated to Mercurial gymnastics. The parts dedicated to boxing, wrestling and rope climbing are particularly fascinating. "One of the first books to discuss the therapeutic value of gymnastics and sport in general for the treatment of disease and disability, and an important study of gymnastics in the ancient world" (Garrison-Morton, p.310). The work is bound by a medical-astronomical treatise by the cosmographer Mizauld, professor of medicine in Paris, in which each planet is described from a medical perspective. The latter is in its first edition and is difficult to find on the market.
The author (1530-1606), a doctor from Forlì, was among the first who in the 16th century. tried to establish the criteria for the physical education of youth. Excellent specimen.
Famous for having first theorized the use of gymnastics on a medical basis, Girolamo Mercuriale or Mercuriali (Forlì, 1530 - 1606) was an Italian physician, philosopher and academic. His are also the first treatise on skin diseases and an important work, the first ever written, on pediatrics.
CONDITION REPORT
Intact full parchment binding, with signs of wear on the inside, widespread gore and burnishing Solid text block with wide margins printed on strong paper. pp. [12]+308+[26]; a stain on the inner corner of the first leaves, large woodcut illustrations, drawn by Pirro Ligorio and engraved by Cristoforo Coriolani.
FULL TITLES & AUTHORS
Hieronymi Mercurialis De Arte Gymnastica libri Sex: In quibus exercitationum omnium vetustarum genera loca modi facultates & quidquid denique ad corporis humani exercitationes pertinet diligenter explicatur.
Venetiis apud Iuntas 1573
Jerome Mercurial 67302663
