KIRCHER (Athanasius). MAGNES, SIVE DE ARTE MAGNETICA. Opus t - Lot 81

KIRCHER (Athanasius). MAGNES, SIVE DE ARTE MAGNETICA. Opus tripartitum, quo universa magnetis natura, eiusque in omnibus scientijs & artibus usus. Rome, Typis Vitalis Mascardi, for Blasius Deversin & Zanobius Masotti, 1654. 32]-618-[28] pages in folio, hard ivory vellum (contemporary binding). Third and best edition of this book on magnetism and its applications in the most curious fields. It is adorned with an engraved title, an emblematic plate with the portrait of Emperor Ferdinand IV, 33 LARGE copper engravings and numerous diagrams, vignettes and drawings, tables.... A good number of subjects are covered, such as musical magnetism for the treatment of illnesses, magnetic clocks, clepsydras, calendars, toys, nautical art, natural magic, and even an Italian song for curing the bite of the tarantula!... Title and first few leaves restored in the margins with no lack of text, wetness and margins of a few leaves nibbled, pages browned. Cancelled stamp of an English college, minor damage to spine, hinges split.