Rueff | De conceptu et generatione hominis, Frankfurt, 1587, later calf-backed boards

Rueff, Jacob

De conceptu, et generatione hominis: de matrice et eius partibus, nec non de conditione infantis in utero, et gravidarum cura et officio libri sex. Frankfurt: (Peter Schmidt for Sigmund Feyerabend), 1587

4to (190 x 129mm.), title printed in red and black with a woodcut illustration, woodcut illustrations, without blank leaf at end of preliminaries, later calf-backed boards, some early annotations, lacking D2 (supplied in early manuscript facsimile), spine detached

Originally issued in 1554, this edition contains numerous fine woodcuts by Jost Amman (first used for the 1580 edition) depicting a uterus with babies in different presentations, various birth defects (including conjoint twins) and scenes of childbirth.

"A comprehensive handbook, the treatise opens with a discussion of conception, development, and nutrition of the fetus. The anatomy of the uterus and a set of precepts for pregnant women are followed by a section on parturition including care of the mother and infant" (Eimas, p.83).

LITERATURE:

VD16 R 3583 (listing 4 copies); cf. Eimas 233 (1580 edition)

PROVENANCE:

D.L. Cumming, signature on flyleaf