BUONANNI, Filippo (1638-1723). Observationes circa viventia, quae in rebus non viventibus reperiuntur. Cum Micrographia curiosa. Rome: Domenico Antonio Ercole, 1691.

First edition of a significant early work of microscopy. Buonanni, a pupil of Athanasius Kircher and one of the first experimenters after Leeuwenhoek to pursue microscopic research, constructed his own compound microscopes. The Micrographia curiosa, a separately paginated addition to his Observationes circa viventia, includes interesting observations on early microscopes and gives a precise description of the author's own model as well as the famous microscopes of the Bolognese instrument-maker, Giuseppe Campani (1635-1715). "The main body of the Observations defends Buonanni's theories of spontaneous generation, first set forth in his Ricreazione dell'occhio e della menta (1681), against the criticism of Francisco Redi" (Norman). Norman 374 (calling for 68 plates only and no errata); Garrison and Morton 264; Krivatsy 1935; Nissen ZBI, 752.

Quarto (220 x 159mm). Errata leaf. Engraved allegorical frontispiece by Hubert Vincent and engraved part title dated 1683, 69 engraved plates, five of which folding (some browning, paper flaw affecting part of printed area of one engraving, pl. 17 at end with repaired tear to blank area). Contemporary Italian vellum, edges sprinkled.