CLASSIC PSEUDO-SCIENCE: Essays on physiognomy, designed to promote the knowledge and the love of mankind
by LAVATER, John Caspar
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Sherman Oaks, California, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Three volumes. 4to. [viii], 241; [iv], 324; [vi], 314, [10] pp., including index. Complete with all blanks, directions to the binder and 360 engraved plates by and after Thomas Holloway, Fuseli and others, and by William Blake. Later calf-backed marbled boards, author and title in gilt on spine, edges marbled; an excellent set with very little spotting.
First edition of Holcroft's translation of Lavater. The work, originally printed between 1775 and 1778, is famous for the splendid illustrations and vignettes, including the plates by William Blake. It was a classic pseudo-scientific work, extremely influential in the history of psychiatry, and represents Lavater's account of madmen, demons, and terror. The theory of physiognomy explained human personality by recourse to an analysis of facial and bodily features. For Lavater character is fixed, not subject to reform. Essays on Physiognomy were so popular that they went through nine printings in Germany by the 1780's, twelve versions in England by the 1790's, and eleven different translations in France by 1800.
Holcroft, a true believer and defender of Lavater, first translated the Essays on Physiognomy in 1789. His translation was published numerous times, always heavily illustrated with character-types who could be "read" by using Lavater's basic principles. The 360 illustrations of different faces each represented a character type that clearly revealed a quasi-medieval quality (choleric; melancholic; phlegmatic; etc.).
For the first English edition, see Keynes, 102; Bentley & Nurmi, 390; Garrison & Morton, 154; and Ryskamp, William Blake, 22.
First edition of Holcroft's translation of Lavater. The work, originally printed between 1775 and 1778, is famous for the splendid illustrations and vignettes, including the plates by William Blake. It was a classic pseudo-scientific work, extremely influential in the history of psychiatry, and represents Lavater's account of madmen, demons, and terror. The theory of physiognomy explained human personality by recourse to an analysis of facial and bodily features. For Lavater character is fixed, not subject to reform. Essays on Physiognomy were so popular that they went through nine printings in Germany by the 1780's, twelve versions in England by the 1790's, and eleven different translations in France by 1800.
Holcroft, a true believer and defender of Lavater, first translated the Essays on Physiognomy in 1789. His translation was published numerous times, always heavily illustrated with character-types who could be "read" by using Lavater's basic principles. The 360 illustrations of different faces each represented a character type that clearly revealed a quasi-medieval quality (choleric; melancholic; phlegmatic; etc.).
For the first English edition, see Keynes, 102; Bentley & Nurmi, 390; Garrison & Morton, 154; and Ryskamp, William Blake, 22.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 11191
- Title
- CLASSIC PSEUDO-SCIENCE
- Author
- LAVATER, John Caspar
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First English edition of Vols. I and II, re-issue of Vol. III, i
- Publisher
- John Murray
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1810
- Weight
- 0.00 lbs
- Keywords
- psychiatry, illustrated books, blake, G&M, english imprints, 18th century, psychology, physiognomy, phrenology
- Note
- May be a multi-volume set and require additional postage.
Terms of Sale
Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts
Biblio member since 2009
Sherman Oaks, California
About Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts
Founded in 1970, Rootenberg Rare Books has served a large international clientele of collectors as well as private and public institutions in the acquisition of rare books and manuscripts, and in collection development. We are among the leading specialists in the fields of science, medicine, technology and natural history. We also maintain high quality rare books and manuscripts in diverse subjects including travel and exploration, literary classics, economics and philosophy, Americana, and modern first editions, many inscribed. Our expertise and familiarity with these subjects allows us to acquire and house major collections in these fields. We are dedicated to our customer's specific needs, and look forward to developing long term relationships by keeping you informed about significant materials in your areas of interest. Rootenberg Rare Books consists of three generations: grandmother, father and daughter, and is located minutes from West Los Angeles, near UCLA and the Getty, as well as a second location in Durham, North Carolina. We always welcome visitors, though appointments are suggested. We occasionally issue finely printed and illustrated catalogues as well as specialized subject lists, and are constantly adding existing and new material to our website. We exhibit at several national and international book fairs during the year, represent clients at auction and offer appraisal and other professional services. We are always interested in purchasing single items or entire collections, and would be pleased to consider any materials you wish to sell. Special requests and specific wants will be given particular attention. We are always available, via phone, fax or email, to answer questions, search for a specific title, or provide information on our inventory.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
- Marbled boards
- ...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Edges
- The collective of the top, fore and bottom edges of the text block of the book, being that part of the edges of the pages of a...