Janus

114141 — Lugduni Lyon Antoine Vincent 1562. . Later Janus Cornarius edition; 8vo 16 x 10.5cm; woodcut initials contemporary ownership signature to the title and a few small notes in the contents light dampstain affecting the final 20 leaves of text occasional light spotting to the rest of the contents; early 19th century calf spine gilt in compartments with floral and star tools and roll with birds to the tail triple gilt fillets gilt roll to turn-ins marbled endpapers all edges dyed red small worm hole to the spine dampstain to upper board a few other small scuffs and marks; very good condition; 542pp.<br /> A lovely copy of the Janus Cornarius translation of the works of Hippocrates originally published in 1545. In handsome early nineteenth-century calf with gilt-tooled spine.<br /><br />Janus Cornarius 1500-1558 was a gifted humanist scholar who edited and translated classical medical works particularly on pharmacology. Erasmus addressed him as 'ornatissime Cornari' 'oh-so-refined Cornarius' and extolled his translation of Hippocrates: 'The genius is there; the erudition is there the vigorous body and vital spirit are there; in sum nothing is missing that was required for this assignment confronted happily it would seem despite its difficulty'.<br /> Lugduni [Lyon], Antoine Vincent, 1562. unknown