Arcana Naturae Detecta ab Antonio van Leeuwenhoek (Complete in 2 Volumes).
Bruxelles: Culture et Civilisation, 1966. Facsimile edition. Hardcover. Quarto. [10], 568, [14], [2], 192, [8]pp. Original leatherette with gold lettering to spines. Engraved frontispiece portrait of the author. Additional engraved title depicting a lovely classic image with alchemical symbolism. Printer's device on each title. Striking facsimile edition reproducing the original 1695 edition, with numerous b/w engravings, some of which are either double page or fold out, showing the anatomy of various living creatures including fish, plants, animals, insects and much more. Text in Latin. Books are in fine condition and contained in their shipping boxes. The author, Antonie Philips van Leeuwenhoek (1632 - 1723) was a Dutch tradesman and scientist from Delft, the Netherlands. He is commonly known as "the Father of Microbiology", and considered to be the first microbiologist. He is best known for his work on the improvement of the microscope and for his contributions towards the establishment of microbiology. Using his handcrafted microscopes he was the first to person recorded to ever observe and describe single celled organisms, which he originally referred to as animalcules, and which we now refer to as microorganisms. He was also the first to record microscopic observations of muscle fibers, bacteria, spermatozoa and blood flow in capillaries. Volumes in fine condition. vg. Item #25291
Price: $275.00