Distilling.- Brunschwig (Hieronymus) Liber de arte Distillandi de Compositis, first edition of the so-called 'Grosses Destillierbuch', collation: A-AA⁶ AAa⁸ B-G⁶ H⁸ I-Y⁶ Z⁴ Aa-Ii⁶ Kk⁸ Ll-Nn⁶ Oo⁸ Pp-Vv⁶ Xx⁴ Yy-Zz⁶ Zzz⁴ a-i⁶ k⁸ complete, 364 leaves, Gothic type, double column, large woodcut of an air- and water-cooled still on title, double-page woodcut and 257 smaller woodcuts (including repeats), of which 130 cuts depict distilling apparatus, some composed of two or three assembled blocks, eight-line and smaller ornamental woodcut initials, H6 small hole slightly affecting text, Xx2-3 slightly smaller and possibly supplied, Zz6 tear at edge of text-block, occasional light staining and spotting, modern vellum over exposed wooden boards, raised bands, folio (308 x 208mm.), Strassburg, [Johann Gruninger], 1512.

⁂ The text is an enlarged revision of the 'Kleines Destillierbuch', containing more extensive descriptions of methods of distillation, plants and illnesses, as well as new sections on surgery and easily procured remedies. The many new woodcuts show distillation stills, furnaces and beakers, and scenes of physicans treating patients. Brunschwig's work was "a pharmaceutical-technical handbook that was the authority far into the sixteenth century" (DSB).

Provenance: Franciscus Rudella (inscription dated 1645 on title); Archives D'Etat Fribourg (old ink stamp on front free endpaper); Arthur & Charlotte Vershbow (bookplate, Christie's sale NY 2013 $26,000).

Literature: Choulant p.83; NLM/Durling 748; PMM 44; Stillwell Science 828.