VALLISNIERI, Antonio (1661- 1730). Opere fisico-mediche. Venice: Sebastiano Coleti, 1733.

First and only edition of Vallisneri’s collected works, with considerable manuscript material appearing in print for the first time. Vallisnieri had been a student of Malpighi and later held the chairs of practical and theoretical medicine at Padua. A proponent of Galileo's scientific principles and a collector of natural history objects, he made fundamental contributions in the fields of comparative anatomy, parasitology, and geology as well as participated in the debate over spontaneous generation. This publication also includes Giannartico di Porcia's biography of the author, an important source of knowledge on his life. Rare at auction, only one record listed in RBH. Heirs of Hippocrates 706; Nissen 4226; Osler 4154.

Three volumes, folio (363 x 228mm). Vol. I title printed in red and black. Title pages with engraved vignettes, 96 engraved plates on 89 leaves, including portrait medallion plate in text, many folding (a few stains, tear to the blank margin of one plate). Contemporary vellum, spines gilt with title labels, marbled edges (minor repairs to heads of spines).