[BRUNFELS, Otto (1488-1534). Herbarum vivae eicones ad nature imitationem] and Novi herbarii tomus II. Strasbourg: Johannes Schott, 1532 and 1536.

The first modern herbal, elegantly illustrated—expurgated by the Index and bound for a contemporary Italian cardinal. The work of the Carthusian monk-turned-heretical botanist Otto Brunfels, although condemned by the Vatican, was such an important scholarly source that his works were permitted to be read as long as appropriately censored. Brunfels had taken up his scientific pursuits relatively late in life and they were intimately bound up with his Reformed beliefs. According to Hannah Marcus, he viewed "botany to be a form of divine revelation, providing people with tools to heal the body just as Scripture provided the means to save the soul." Hunt calls him "the first great mind in modern botany." The woodcuts by Hans Weiditz are drawn from life, and praised by Brunfels in a poem at the opening of the work.

The present copy has had the first gathering removed and Brunfel's name blacked out throughout. This was done prior to binding, indicated by the fore-edge title omitting the heretical author's name. A similarly censored copy is held by the Biblioteca Comunale Manfrediana. This one was owned by an unidentified Italian cardinal, perhaps also with a medical interest; it was bound for him, as was the botanical book in lot 86 of the present sale. Adams B-2925; Hunt 30. See Hannah Marcus, Forbidden Knowledge: Medicine, Science, and Censorship in Early Modern Italy (2020).

Two volumes bound in one, folio (314 x 200mm). I: Lacking first gathering including title page and woodcut arms of Strasbourg. 4- and 5-part borders to several pages, ornamental and historiated initials, 86 woodcuts botanical illustrations by Hans Weiditz (occasional toning and stains); II: 4- part border on 2 pages, 49 woodcut illustrations by Weiditz (occasional toning and stains, a few holes from ink burn including to title where author's name is obliterated). Contemporary blindstamped calf, title gilt-stamped on spine and rear board, ink fore-edge title (without clasps, somewhat abraded). Provenance: a few marginal comments – cardinal’s arms with initials M.G.C.A. painted on early leaf – Libreria del Convento del Bosch (library stamp and inscription) – Giacomo Manzoni, 1816-1889 (booklabel) – Alfred Ashworth of Horsley Hall, Gresford, 1841-1910 (bookplate).