Hieronymi Magii Anglarensis De Tintinnabulis Liber Postumus. [AND]: De Equuleo Liber Postumus.

Andreas Frisius, Amsterdam, 1664

Two works in one volume, with the editorial notes by François Sweerts (1567–1629). 2nd edition.

Description: 2 works in 1 vol. contemporary calf, spine with raised bands, decorated with single gilt fillets and red morocco label lettered in gilt. Vigesimo-quarto: 13 × 7 cm; (v.1): [1]ll., [15]ll., 151pp., [13]ll. (v.2): [16]ll., 196pp., [7]ll. With a engraved frontispiece by P.[ierre] Philippe, 2 printer’s marks (1 right reading, 1 reverse reading; the motto is right reading in each case), 1 double-page, 20 full page (thereof 2 fold-out) plates.

Provenance: On the front pastedown the bookplate of Ramon Sarro, Catedratico de Psiquiatria de Barcelona.

Ref.: Brunet VI, 29045

Condition: Binding a bit scuffed and rubbed, spine ends somewhat nibbled, outer hinges somewhat age brittle. Inner hinges cracked but sound. A few wormholes at the lower margin of the front pastedown. Contents with occasional slight spotting but generally clean.

Notes: Little is known about the Italian scholar Girolamo Maggi (c. 1523–1572). The information available primarily derives from his own works. His most important work, Della fortificatione delle città (Venice, R. Borgominieri, 1564), made him famous among his contemporaries. As a consequence, Maggi was designated as a military engineer for the Republic of Venice. In 1570, he was sent to Cyprus, where he fell into Turkish captivity after the fall of Famagusta. During his captivity, he managed to write two works: De Tintinnabulis, a treatise on bells, and De Equuleo, concerning an instrument of torture. Both manuscripts were brought to the West by chance. They were first published in Hanau in 1608 (De tintinnabulis) and 1609 (De equuleo). Maggi attempted to purchase his freedom numerous times, although unsuccessfully. This likely prompted an endeavour to escape, which proved to be unsuccessful. He was captured and presumably executed via strangulation on 27th March 1572.