Description

Hardcover, small volume bound in genuine black pigskin, with all edges gilt and covers brass-die stamped in 22kt gold. Additional refinements include bound in silk ribbon marker, raised spine hubs and specially commissioned marbled end-papers by Richard J. Wolfe. This special limited edition was prepared from the first English translation of 1653 courtesy of the Yale Medical Historical Library. First edition thus of a limited edition, this being number 921, with original subscriber’s personalized book-plate, bearing limitation number, unused and laid-in loose. This treatise by William Harvey, best know for his discovery of the circulation of blood, espouses the principle of epigenesis-the theory that organisms develop gradually from undifferentiated material rather than growing from a pre-formed miniature version. Opposed to the hitherto accepted concept of preformationism (e.g. the idea of a homunculus residing in a human egg), Harvey’s work remain a landmark in the history of biology. A clean, fresh copy which shows an incidental shot, thin scratch to gilt on top edge, esle like new. Near fine.