13 Comments

Though given the prices and target market of "ordinary" books relative to the wages of each age, you should compare Hortus Sanitatis with contemporary "art books".

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This is a lot of fun Ben. My favourite early modern books are those with anatomical flaps or astronomical volvelles. Thanks for an entertaining blog post. Best, Anna Marie

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Just a heads up: the link under "Primary source quote of the week" links to a search for the word "obnoxious", not the quotation above it.

Also: the original text appears to say "moFt excellent" (perhaps a typo, but clearly not an "s" when compared to the word "vapours" 2 lines up)

Corrected link: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_American_Physitian_Or_a_Treatise_of/Oa9kAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22Chocolate%20is%20moft%20excellent%22

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I was given a modern print of Don Quixote (Macmillan Collector's Library) and it is a joy to hold and read. I understand your interest. Also, you might like (or already know) "Grover and the Everything in the whole wide world museum"

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I am now utterly captivated by the Ortus Sanitatis--I took Latin in high school, but have lost most of it--do you know if there is a translation? I am aching to know what the text saying!

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Awesome! Really enjoyed the read. I collect books (and went to school with Chris Heaney!) at the Ritman Library of Hermetic Philosophy in Amsterdam. The book on Natural Magick is one of my favs! I love the intersection of magic and science :)

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