ATHANASII KIRCHERI, SOCIETATIS IESU. MAGNES SIVE ARTE MAGNETICA OPUS TRIPARTITUM. QUO UNIVERSAMAGNETIS NATURA, EIUSQUE IN OMNIBUS SCIENTIJS & ARTIBUS USUS, NOVA METHODO EXPLICATUR, ETC

Rome: B. Deuersin, & Z. Masotti, 1654. Third, and best, Edition. Hardcover. Two small institutional stamps on the title page with an early annotation. Worming to the title and first few pages as well as the last few of the index and the binding, extensive on a few pages; the rest of the text fine. Folio (8-1/2" x 12-1/2") bound in contemporary vellum; [xxxii (including engraved title-page)], 618, [24] pages. Title page printed in red and black with engraved printer's device; additional engraved title page; woodcut initials; head- and tailpieces; full-page engraved arms of the dedicatee, Ferdinand IV; about 50 tables and several examples of musical scores in the text; 215 woodcut illustrations; and 34 mostly full-page engraved plates. The last, best, and most valuable edition, as well as the first one in folio, of one of the major scientific works by the most famous German Jesuit scholar. Kircher examines all aspects of magnetism-from that of the earth to animals, music, and love--and presents some daring theories such as the positive effects of music on the victims of tarantula bites. He also describes his construction of a magnetic clock and how it functions.

Ferguson I, 467; Merill 6: "This third edition of 'Magnes', the finest and most complete of the three editions, was greatly enlarged by Kircher. It contains many observations and experiments not in the two previous editions"; Ronalds 267; STC 461; Wellcome III, 394; Wheeler Gift 116a: "Celebrated work. It deals with electrics as well as magnetics, showing great versatility and encyclopaedic knowledge. He controverts Gilbert's theories in magnetism and those of Kepler in astronomy."