De medicina - photo 1
De medicina - photo 2
De medicina - photo 3

De medicina

Lot 18
28.01.2025 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 18 900
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1360734
Lot 18 | De medicina
Estimate value
$ 15 000 – 20 000
CELSUS, A. Cornelius (c.25 B.C.–c. A.D. 50). De medicina. Venice: Philippus Pincius, for Benedictus Fontana, 6 May 1497. [Bound with:] ARNOLDUS DE VILLA NOVA. Opera. Lyons: F. Fradin, 20 December 1509.

Two important medical texts rediscovered in the Renaissance, from the library of Hector Pömer. Celsus’ De medicina constitutes ‘one of the first medical books to be printed’ (Garrison) and remains one of few extant, and one of the most valuable, sources of Roman medicine. The present edition is the text’s fourth appearance in print. Arnoldus de Villa Nova was likely from Catalonia and translated many medical works from Arabic, and later served as the private physician to many kings and popes. A follower of Luther and leader of the Reformation in Nuremberg, Hector Pömer acquired these two books by 1525; he records his purchase on 18 July 1525 and, five days later, the price to have them bound for him. His impressive full-page bookplate is one of the earliest known, and shows a woodcut illustration of Saint Lawrence, the namesake of Pömer’s St. Lorenz parish. Previously attributed to Albrecht Dürer, the cut is now given to Sebald Beham, a key figure in the circle of Nuremberg printmakers known as the Kleinmeister. I: HC *4838; BMC V 498; BSB-Ink C-210; Bod-inc C-163; CIBN C-210; GW 6459; Goff C-367; Klebs 260.4; ISTC ic00367000; II: Adams A-1980.

Two works in one, folio (312 × 211mm). I: 94 leaves; II: 328 leaves (collates as Adams, foliated 1–317 after first gathering of 10 (AA10) with final blank (O8)). First work with woodcut device of Fontana at end, second work with woodcut initials and one diagram (occasional light browning, dampstain at inner upper margin). Contemporary blindstamped reversed calf, panelled with vertical rolls, brass catchplates and corner pieces, (worn with some small restorations); custom box. Provenance: contemporary marginalia – Hector Pömer, 1495–1541 (purchase note dated 18 July 1525 at end of second work and another on rear pastedown dated 23 July 1525; large woodcut bookplate by Beham) – 16/17th-century marginalia in several hands, including a long note in German at end of second work – ‘Mr Hobson, 7 Castle St, Falcon Sqr. [City of London]’ – sold, Christie’s, 13 July 2016, lot 160.
Genre:Religious genre
Place of origin:Italy
Auction house category:Antiquarian books, Medicine & science, Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
14.01.2025 – 28.01.2025
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.