Volume 2

Bibliographical notes on histories of inventions and books of secrets : Six papers read to the Archæological society of Glasgow April 1882-January 1888 / by John Ferguson.

  • John Ferguson
Date:
1895-1915
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Bibliographical notes on histories of inventions and books of secrets : Six papers read to the Archæological society of Glasgow April 1882-January 1888 / by John Ferguson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    116/408 (page 14)
    infinite de beaux | Secrets depuis peu mis en ufage. | Avec un autre petit Traite de Recepte | intitule le grand Jardin,| A Troyes, | Chez Jean Antoine Gamier, | Imprimeur-Libraire, rue du Temple. | Avec permiffion. i2mo. A to M in alternate eights and fours; or, pp. 140 [1, 3 blank]. The book is not dated, but the license is dated Paris, October 22, 1738. The book is rudely printed on rough paper. It is not in the British Museum. 19. It was the acquisition of this copy which led me to the discovery of the Italian original of 1529, and of the other editions now enumerated. There could hardly be a greater contrast in appearance than what exists between the first edition, with its unusual ornamentation and handsome exterior, and these last chap-books, printed in very common style on miserable paper, without a vestige of a thought about their outer form. It is difficult to say what kept it alive for over two hundred years, from 1529 to 1740. As it stands, it is a miscellaneous gathering, not arranged on any principle, and there is not even a list of contents ! It was not, therefore, meant to be consulted in an emergency. It contains medical receipts, practical receipts, receipts for the toilet, perfumery, dyeing, cooking, preserving, legerdemain tricks, and so on, but it is impossible to find what one wants without hunting through the whole book. Withal the book is interesting in respect of its age and persistence. 20. In connection with personal decoration, and as anticipating the very rare work of Jean Liebaut* I happened to allude to the book of Andre Le Fournier, so long ago as 1883.! When I quoted it I knew that it was most uncommon, and I never anticipated having a copy for exhibition. This, however, is . one of the shy books that come occasionally out of their retreats, and the obtaining of it has caused me to look rather carefully into its history, especially as Brunet on the subject is not more satisfactory than usual. The edition of 1530 was what I mentioned in 1883. *Part I., p. 194. (Reprint 1883, p. 15, note; 1896, p. 18.) + Part II., p. 258. (Reprint 1883, p. 48; 1896, p. 34.)