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KIRCHER, ATHANASIUS, S.J. Ars magna lucis et umbrae. 44 plates (36 numbered 1-34 and 8 lettered A-H), including large folding tree of the Jesuit order; 4 engraved tables on 2 leaves; woodcut text illustrations and diagrams throughout. [40], 798, [2], 799-935 [i. e., 937], [15] pages, including engraved additional title, and letterpress divisional title ("Volumen Secundum") between pages 798 and 799; lacks X1-2 (pages 161-64, on the anatomy of the eye and vision). Folio, 309x202 mm, contemporary vellum boards with spine title in ink, stains and faint scratches on front cover; occasional browning and light marginal dampstaining, early signature in upper margin of additional title, clean tear across Jesuit tree neatly repaired on verso, free endpapers lacking. Rome: Lodovico Grignani for Hermann Scheus, 1646
first edition of a treatise on light, optical phenomena, and diverse related topics, including early discussions of bioluminescence and phosphorescence, and the principle of the camera obscura; issue with general title dated 1646 instead of 1645. Becker 217; Dünnhaupt, Kircher 7.1; Merrill 7; Norman 1216.
