- 92
Kircher, Athanasius
Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Kircher, Athanasius
- Obeliscus Pamphilius, hoc est, interpretatio nova & hucusque intentata obelisci hieroglyphici... Rome: Lodovico Grignani, 1650
- paper
folio (330 x 220mm.), woodcut device on title-page, engraved frontispiece by Bloemaert after Canini, engraved portrait of Pope Innocent X, sections of text in Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Coptic, Samaritan and Syriac, woodcut illustrations, 5 full-page engraved illustrations, contemporary vellum, lacking folding plate, small tear to title-page without loss, occasional staining in margins (heavy in gutter towards end resulting in friable pages in quires Aaaa-Eeee, some damaged with loss), a few small marginal wormholes
Provenance
Bibliothek Wessely, Vienna, label on inside front cover and stamp on flyleaf, i.e. Othmar Wessely (1922-1998), music professor at Graz and Vienna
Literature
Caillet 5787; Cicognara 2526; Rossetti 5886; Dünnhaupt/Kircher 9
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
First edition of Kircher's analysis of the obelisk, originally erected by the Emperor Domitian in AD80 and rediscovered in 1648 during the renovation of Piazza Navona.