SCOTUS, Michael (1175-ca 1232). Liber physiognomiae. [Venice: Jacobus de Fivizzano, Lunensis], 1477.

4to (200 x 144 mm). Collation: a¹⁰ b–h⁸ i⁶ K⁶. 74 leaves (of 78, with the final blank but lacking g2-5). 23 lines. Type 112R. Initial spaces with guide letters. (Apparently washed with some early marginalia faded, the ink from a previously deleted passage has resulted in loss of a few letters on d6v, some gutter discoloration in quire g, minor marginal paperflaw on i4.) Late 18th- or early 19th-century half vellum gilt (joints splitting). Provenance: some early marginalia and annotations (washed); an early owner’s bibliographic notes on front flyleaf.

FIRST EDITION. Michael Scot’s contributions to Western science and philosophy include his translations from the Arabic of Aristotle’s De animalibus, Avicenna’s Abbreviatio de animalibus and Averros’ commentaries on Aristotle’s works (which he introduced to Europe). He is perhaps better known for his popular Liber physiognomiae, the third work in his quasi-scientific trilogy, the manuscript of which was presented to Frederick II of Sicily on the occasion of his 1 marriage. The title is somewhat misleading as only about half of the work is devoted to the subject. “Most of what appears as book I in the printed editions contains a detailed treatise on generation of human beings, with anatomical and physiological descriptions, information on the best time for conception, on sexual behavior, and on the state of the fetus during each of the nine months after conception. The rest of book I deals with differences between genera and species of animals. Books II and III contain the Physiognomia proper (apart from some chapters on dreams and auguries from sneezes). In these a systematic survey of the different parts of the body, in connection with the basic or other qualities affecting them, is meant to show how souls are intrinsically dependent for their natures on the bodies that they inhabit: ‘animae sequuntur corpus’” (DSB). The censored passage in this copy on d6v has become legible as result of washing and reveals a passage dealing with abortion and induced childbirth. A wide-margined copy.

Goff M551; HC 14550*; Klebs 899.1; Osler(IM) 124; Pell Ms 7925 (7860); Walsh 1724; Bod-inc M-215; Sheppard 3529; Pr 4364; BMC V, 242; BSB-Ink M-376; GW M23301; Stillwell Science 453; Norman 1506; ISTC im00551000.

SCOTUS, Michael (1175-ca 1232). Liber physiognomiae. [Venice: Jacobus de Fivizzano, Lunensis], 1477.