Rare 1664 The Optick Glasse of Humors Thomas Walkington Humoral Theory Medical

Description: Summary of The Optick Glasse of Humors (1664) by T.W., Master of Arts The Optick Glasse of Humors, written by T.W., Master of Arts, is a rare 17th-century medical and philosophical work republished in London in 1664. This treatise delves into the understanding of the four classical humors: Sanguine, Choleric, Phlegmatic, and Melancholic, explaining how these complexions impact human temperament and behavior. The author provides insights into how the balance or imbalance of these humors influences personality, offering readers of the time guidance on self-assessment and understanding of nature's effects on human disposition. Historical Context and Relevance The Optick Glasse of Humors reflects the early modern fascination with humoral theory, a system that dominated Western medicine for centuries, based on the teachings of ancient Greek physicians such as Hippocrates and Galen. The book serves as an essential window into pre-Enlightenment thought, where science and philosophy intersected to explore human nature. Condition and Provenance This copy of The Optick Glasse of Humors is rebound in a cloth hardcover, with the boards showing general wear to the edges and corners. A bookplate from Columbia University Library is affixed to the front paste-down, and the text is complete though toned, this copy does not have the engraved plate of elements and planets on page 77, nor are there any other engraved plates other than the extra title page which is engraved and shown in the listing photographs. There are cryptic annotations scattered throughout the margins, which may offer further scholarly insight. The text block edges appear to have been marbled or toned, but this has significantly faded over time. Key FeaturesYear Published: 1664Publisher: Printed for G. Dawson and sold by Edward Man at the White Swan in St. Paul’s Churchyard, LondonCondition: Rebound in cloth hardcover; boards show wear; text complete and toned; annotations in cryptic text throughout; faded marbled or toned text block edgesProvenance: Columbia University Library bookplate on the front paste-downRarity: A scarce 17th-century work, highlighting humoral theory, with limited surviving copies available in the market Collection Suitability This 1664 edition of The Optick Glasse of Humors is a valuable acquisition for collectors of early medical or philosophical texts, university libraries, or scholars specializing in pre-modern medical theories and historical works. Its provenance, rarity, and cryptic marginal annotations add to its scholarly and collectible appeal.

Price: 1200 USD

Location: Topsham, Maine

End Time: 2024-12-15T01:22:53.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD