Hugo Senensis, 3 October 1482

HUGO SENENSIS [Bentius] (1376–1439). Consilia ad diversas aegritudines. Edited by Laurentius de Gozadinis. [Bologna]: Johannes de Nördlingen and Henricus de Harlem, 3 October 1482.

First edition of a rare work on practical medicine. The compilation of consilia was an innovation in western medicine beginning at the time of Hugo Senensis, also known as Ugo Benzi or Bentius. Having taught at Siena, Bologna and Parma before being called to Paris as royal physician, Hugo garnered his case studies from specific medical investigations for editing and distribution, describing symptoms and prescribing care and treatment; ‘they are a true reflection of Galenic or Arabist practice’ (Lockwood). No copy in the Wellcome or Osler collections and only one copy sold at auction in over 50 years (1982). HC 9020*; BMC VI 819; CIBN H-327; GW 13633; Goff H-538; BSB-Ink. B-280; Klebs 1001.1; ISTC ih00538000.

Super-chancery folio (306 × 207mm). 102 (of 104 leaves, without first blank leaf and the second leaf in facsimile [editor’s address to Alexander Rogenus]). Opening 6-line initial in blue with red penwork decoration, other initial spaces blank (marginal repairs in last 2 leaves, some light spotting, mostly marginal, occasional faint dust-soiling, a few small wormholes in first and last leaves). 20th-century vellum, spine lettered in gilt. Provenance: Giuseppe Zampa (bookplate).