The Library of Roger Wagner - PBA Galleries

49. rueff, JAkoB. De Conceptu & Generatione Hominis...Libri Sex, congesti opera Jacobi Rueff, Chirurgi
Tigurini. aa4, a-z4, A-C4, D1 (with aa1, c4-d2, h1 & i3 supplied in facsimile). [4], 105 fl. Errata to
verso of last leaf. Illustrated with 58 original printed woodcuts depicting aspects of real & imagined
embryology, plus historiated initials & others in facsimile. (4to) 7¼x5¼, old full calf, panelled in blind
on covers. First Latin Edition.
[Zurich]: Christopher Froschauer, 1554
Jakob Rueff (1500-58) was the town physician and Professor of Medicine at the university
in Zurich, famed particularly as a surgeon and obstetrician. This book was published
simultaneously in Zurich in two editions, one in German and one in Latin, of which the
present copy is an example, and it is known to be the first to contain “true anatomical pictures
in an obstetrics book.” Indeed, Rueff described smooth-edged forceps for delivery of a live
baby, preceding Chamberlan, and a toothed forceps for an extraction of the dead fetus, both
illustrated within. Also, celphic versions of manipulation are explored in the cuts as too are the
conjugal twin variations and cross-mammalian fantasy. The first English translation would not
appear until 1637, titled pragmatically The Expert Midwife. Divided into six sections or “books”
the volume covers the entire pregnancy cycle along with discourses on related medical diseases
and situations. Book one opens with information on conception and nutrition of the fetus;
the second section contains descriptions of the uterus and guidelines for the pregnant women;
book three deals with the birthing process, subsequent care of mother and infant, as well as a
portion devoted to the use of obstetric instruments; section four pertains to the management
of “unnatural” births such as multiples and awkward presentations; book five discusses
related conditions such as false pregnancy, uterine tumors, abortions, and deformed infants (or
“monsters”); while section six discusses causes for sterility with suggested remedies. With fine
armorial bookplate of Clare College, Cambridge University, 1701 and also early signature of “J.
Littlechild, Fulbourn [village near Cambridge], his Book” to front endpapers. Also, some old
marginalia near leaf numbers noting (studiously?) flowers in English. Morton 463. Moderate
scuffing and wear to covers; front and rear pastedowns present but free and apparently never
pasted; as noted, lacking 6 original leaves supplied in photoduplicate facsimile, some light
dampstaining to the whole towards fore-edge, but exceedingly scarce in any condition, near very
good.
(3000/5000)
Lot 49
Page 24