pdf - Roger Gaskell Rare Books

78
HARTLIB, Samuel (d. 1662)
Cornu copia. A miscellanium of lucriferous and most fructiferous
experiments, observations, and discoveries, immethodically distributed;
to be really demonstrated and communicated in all sincerity.
[London], 1652?
4to: A–B4 , 8 leaves, pp. 16, drop head title on A1 under a border of
Xeurons, woodcut initial.
[bound with:]
The heads of severall ingenuityes and discoveryes since my last
printed papers.
[London], 1652?
4to: A4 , 4 leaves, pp. 8, drop head title on A1 under a border of
Xeurons, woodcut initial.
180 x 135mm. Small hole in Wrst leaf of Wrst work with loss of a few
letters on the verso, Wrst and last leaves in the volume heavily soiled,
light foxing and waterstains.
Binding: Early twentieth­century half calf over marbled boards. Spine
worn and chipped at the head.
Provenance: Owner’s stamp ‘Alexander [undeciphered] 1883’ on
Wrst leaf and Hartlib identiWed as the author in an early hand;
contemporary corrections to the text; C. E. Kenny with Kenny
Collection booklabel (sale at Sotheby’s, 24 October 1966, lot 2444).
First editions. 1. Wing H 982; ESTC R9875; Turnbull 38; 2. not in Wing,
ESTC R236673, Folger only; not in Turnbull.
Both publications comprise brief descriptions of wonderful inventions,
but concealing how they might work. The Cornu copia begins with purely
Wnancial schemes, but most of the items are agricultural. Hartlib promises
to demonstrate his inventions ‘by way of exchange, or otherwise, to any
that shall be desirous thereof’ (p. 11). A Wnal section, headed ‘Generall
Accommodations’, speciWes services to be obtained and redress for loss or
theft. Hartlib promises that ‘Whosoever shall be so instrumental to their own
happiness and future content... may... have such excellent designes illustrated
unto them’ (p. 15). Turnbull notes that this part Hartlib lifted from Adolphus
Speed, Generall Accomodations by Address (1650, Turnbull pp. 79 and 99).
The items in the second pamphlet, Heads of Severall Ingenuityes and
Discoveries are promised improvements to agriculture, as well as the kind of
material found in books of secrets, such as making artiWcial pearls and secret
writing.
G. H. Turnbull, Hartlib, Dury and Comenius: gleanings from Hartlib’s papers
(1947).