PETRUS de ABANO (1250-?1315) - photo 1
PETRUS de ABANO (1250-?1315) - photo 2
PETRUS de ABANO (1250-?1315) - photo 3

PETRUS de ABANO (1250-?1315)

Lot 117
10.12.2025 12:00UTC +00:00
Classic
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CHRISTIE'S
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
ID 1514357
Lot 117 | PETRUS de ABANO (1250-?1315)
Estimate value
£ 10 000 – 15 000
PETRUS de ABANO (1250-?1315)
De physiognomia. Padua: Petrus Maufer de Maliferis, 1474.
[Bound with:]
MICHAEL SCOTUS (d. c1236). Liber physiognomiae. [Venice: Jacobus de Fivizzano, Lunensis], 1477.
First edition of two early and influential works on physiognomy and psychology. Pietro d’Abano outlines physical traits and interprets them as indicators of underlying mental and spiritual traits, while Michael Scot ranges widely across anatomy, sexual behaviour and human generation, urology, animal genera, sleep and the interpretation of dreams, drawing on his deep knowledge of Aristotle and Avicenna, whose works he had translated. Both authors combine philosophy, science and natural magic and were also considered in the Renaissance as magicians and necromancers, with Michael named as such by Dante. The contemporary manuscript list of medical applications in this copy shows its use in the hands of a medical practitioner at some level. Abano: Goff P-438; HC 18; Klebs 775.1; Osler(IM) 68; CIBN P-207; BMC VII 912; GW M31840; ISTC ip00438000. Scotus: Goff M-551; HC 14550*; Klebs 899.1; Osler(IM) 124; CIBN M-350; Bod-inc M-215; BMC V 242; BSB-Ink M-376; GW M23301; Stillwell Science 453; Norman 1506; ISTC im00551000.

Two works in one volume, chancery quarto (184 x 133mm). 50 leaves in first work; 78 leaves, with final blank (very occasional spotting, first leaf loosening, neat tear in Abano 4/1, Scot work with faint staining and small marginal wormtrack in quires a-b.) 19th-century leather-backed marbled-paper boards, red edges (spine worn, hinges weak, text block split). Provenance: list of 12 uses of medical receipts written in a contemporary Italian hand on rear flyleaf – Royal Medical Society (stamps).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
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SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
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10.12.2025 – 10.12.2025
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