Lot 350
Harvey, William
Rare Books, Maps & Manuscripts
Auction: 7 September 2011 at 12:00 BST
Description
Anatomical exercitations, concerning the generation of living creatures: to which are added particular discourses, of births, and of conceptions. London: James Young for Octavian Pulleyn, 1653. First edition in English, 8vo, contemporary sheep, lacks frontispiece portrait, some browning and spotting, binding worn, contemporary ink inscription to title [rubbed out], library stamps
Footnote
Note: Norman 1012, Wellcome III p.220.
First edition in English of Harvey's influential study of all aspects of conception and birth. Hist argument that all animal life arose from eggs, for example, has been of crucial importance in the history of embryology. According to Keynes, many copies of this book may never have contained the engraved portrait (Harvey pp.49-50).