Exe-libris: gleanings from the shelves of Exeter Libraries
6. Johann Remmelin, An exact survey of the microcosmus, 1670
In November 2002 the David Fisher Football Collection was removed from the home of David Fisher's parents Mr & Mrs A. Fisher in Exmouth. David Fisher, who died in August 2002 aged 49, bequeathed his collection of Exeter City memorabilia to the Westcountry Studies Library. He had been an active supporter since about 1962 and was known internationally as an expert on the club. As the last of some 35 skips was removed, his father asked if I was interested in old books. After confessing that I was, he took me into his attic and produced the present item, which he handed over in a brown paper bag to be added to the collections of Exeter Library. Only later was the importance of this item realised as it was in a very fragile condition and could no be easily examined. It was considered as "perhaps the most wonderful item in the catalogue" by Frederick Cooper of the University of Exeter when he compiled the Sickness in the archive exhibition in 2016. It is published here for the first time to preserve the original prior to its conservation. It is hoped to provide additional images to demonstrate some of the anatomical flaps which are in up to ten layers.
Johann Remmelin. An exact survey of the microcosmus, 1670. Title page.
Courtesy Devon Libraries.
Johann Remmelin. An exact survey of the microcosmus, 1670. The skin with its vessels or veins. [Image].
Courtesy Devon Libraries.
Johann Remmelin. An exact survey of the microcosmus, 1670. A dissection of humane bodies. Visio prima. [Text].
Courtesy Devon Libraries.
Johann Remmelin. An exact survey of the microcosmus, 1670. A dissection of humane bodies. Visio prima [coninuation]. [Text].
Courtesy Devon Libraries.
Johann Remmelin. An exact survey of the microcosmus, 1670. Visio prima. [Image].
Courtesy Devon Libraries.
Johann Remmelin. An exact survey of the microcosmus, 1670. A dissection of the bodie of a man. Visio secunda. [Text].
Courtesy Devon Libraries.
Johann Remmelin. An exact survey of the microcosmus, 1670. Visio secunda.
Courtesy Devon Libraries.
Johann Remmelin. An exact survey of the microcosmus, 1670. A dissestion of the bodie of a woman. Visio tertia. [Text].
Courtesy Devon Libraries.
Johann Remmelin. An exact survey of the microcosmus, 1670. Visio tertia. [Image].
Courtesy Devon Libraries.
Johann Remmelin or Johannes Rümelin was born in 1583 in Ulm and died in 1632 in Augsburg. He was a German doctor and mathematician, mainly active as a town physician in in Ulm, Schorndorf and Augsburg. He studied philosopy in Tübingen and later medicine in Basel. His work as a doctor and mathematician resulted in a number of books and translations, of which Catoptrum microcosmicum is the best known. They are listed in A bibliography ofJohann Remmelin the anatomist, by Kenneth F. Russell. - East St Kilda, Victoria, Australia : J. F. Russell, 1991. - xviii, 154p, 12 plates. - ISBN 0 646 02477 9.
Catoptrum microcosmicum first appeared in 1613 as three fugitive sheets with superimposed flaps engraved on copper; the Visio Prima, male & female together; Visio Secunda showing a man and Visio Tertia showing a woman, with caption "I. R. inventor" [Johann Remelin], and "L. K. sculptor" [Lucas Kilian, an artist and copper engraver from Augsburg] on bottom left, "Stephan Michelspacher, excudit" on bottom right [a printer active in Ulm and Augsburg].
All editions of these images appeared with the sole name of Michelspacher, without any mention of the author apart from the initials: a quarto companion volume contains the Elucidarius, tabulis synopticis, Microcosmici laminis incisi aeneis ... dated 1614 with Remmelin's name in an anagram at the end, and the text Pinax microcosmographicus dated 1615." The engravings and texts were finally published together with the full name of the author in 1619 in Augsburg by David Franck, though Michelspacher's name continued to appear on the first plate. In his letter to the reader, Remmelin explains that the figures had been published previously without his knowledge, and that he had designed these images solely for personal use. It was only on the insistence of friends and colleagues who had seen and used them in the 1613 edition that he had been persuaded to reprint them, this time in his name and with the necessary corrections, so that they would be available to whoever needed to consult them.
The following issues of the plates and text have been recorded prior to the London editions:
1613: Tou kataptrou mikrokosmikou = Catoptri microcosmici. Absolutam admirandae partium hominis creaturarum divinarum praestantissimi fabricae eximio artificio sculptam structuram spectandam ... exhibentis Visio I.-III. Cum enarratione ... - [Augsburg?] : Stephan Michelspacher, [1613].
1614: Elucidarius, tabulis synopticis, microcosmici laminis incisi aeneis, admirandam partium hominis creaturarum divinarum praestantissimi universarum fabricam repraesentantis, catoptri, litteras & characteres explicans, ex Pinace Microcosmographico eidem catoptro ac historica brevis at perspicua enarratio addito, exscriptus, et nunc primum cum magno omnium mortalium fructu luci publicae datus divulgatusque a` Stephano Michelspachero Tirolensi .... - [Augsburg] : [Impressus sumptibus Stephani Michelspacheri Tirolensis excusus], [1614].
1614-15: Pinax microcosmographicus hoc est, Admirand partium hominis creaturarum divinarum pr stantissimi universarum fabric , historica brevis et perspicua enarratio, microcosmico tabulis sculpto neis catoptro lucidissimo, explicationis vice addita ... - [Augsburg] Impensisque maximis Stephani Michelspacheri [M.DC.XIV-] M.DC.XV, 1614-1615.
1615: Elucidarius, tabulis synopticis, microcosmici laminis incisi aeneis, admirandam partium hominis creaturarum divinarum praestantissimi universarum fabricam repraesentantis, catoptri, litteras & characteres explicans, ex pinace microcosmographico eidem catoptro ac historica brevis at perspicua enarratio addito, exscriptus ... - [Augsburg] : Sumptibus Stephani Michelspacheri, 1615.
1619: Cum Deo, Johannis Remmelini Sueuo Vimensis, Philosophiae & Medicinae Doctoris, Catoptrum microcosmicum, suis aere incisis visionibus splendens, cum historia & pinace, de nouo prodit. - Augustae Vindelicorum : Typis Davidis Francki anno MDCXIX, 1619.
1632: Kleiner Welt Spiegel, Das ist: Abbildung Göttlicher Schöpffung an de Menschen Leib : mit beygesetzter Schrifftlicher erklärung, So wol zu Gottes Wei heit, als de Menschen selbst Erkandtnus dienend. - Augustae Vindelicorum, Gedruckt durch J.V. Sch nigk, in Verlag J. Remmelins Burgers in Vlm, 1632.
1634: Pinax microcosmographicus in quo certissimum anatomiae compendium proponitur. - t'Amsterdam : ghedruckt by Joost Broersz. voor Cornelis Danckersz. wonende inde Warmoestraet, int Fusteyn-Vat, 1634.
1639: Kleiner Welt-Spiegel, das ist : Abbildung Göttlicher Schöpffung an dess Menschen Leib, mit beygesetzter Schrifftlicher Erklärung, sowohl zu Gottes Weissheit, als dess Menschen Selbst-Erkanntniss dienend. - Ulm, 1639.
1639: Johannis Remmelini ... Catoptrum microcosmicum, suis re incisis visionibus splendens, cum historia, & pinace, de nouo prodit. - Vlm Sueuorum : Sumptibus Iohannis Görlini [imprimebat Balthasar Kühne, reipubl. istius typographus] MDCXXXIX, 1639.
1642: La dissection du corps humain, ou, Le petit monde ; Pris du latin de Estienne Michael Spacheer & nouvellement mis en françois par Jean Ireton ... = The dissection of mans body, or, The little world : with a short demonstrance of the severall parts thereof ; First written in Latin by Stephen Michell Sphacer [sic] as author, and now translated into English by John Ireton ... Artifically illustrated with figures by Cornelis Danckerson. - Amsterdam : Printed in Amsterdam by Joost Broerson, for Cornelis Danckerson in the Calverstreet, and are to be sold at his shoppe, [between 1642 and 1647], 1642. - Length 9 pages.
1645: Pinax microcosmographicus, in quo certissimum anatomiae compendium proponitur. - Amsterdam, Cornelis Danckersz, 1645.
1660: Catoptrum microcosmicum ... visionibus splendens, cum historia, et pinace, de novo prodit. - Ulm : J. Görlin 1660.
1660: Johannis Remmelini Svevo-Vlmensis, Philosophiae & Medicinae Doctoris, Catoptrum microcosmicum : suis aere incisis visionibus splendens, cum historia & pinace de novo prodit. - Francofurti ad Moenum. Sumptibus ac typis heredum Antonii Hummen anno MDCLX, 1660.
1661: Kleiner Welt Spiegel, das ist, Abbildung g ttlicher Sch pffung an dess Menschen Leib : mit beygesetzer schrifftlicher Erklärung, so wo zu Gottes Weissheit, als dess Menschen selbst Erkandtnuss dienend / auss Johannis Remmelini, philosophiae et medicinae Doctoris, lateinischem Exemplar, in die Teutsche Sprache u bersetzet, durch M. Johannem Ludovicum Remmelinum, Med. Stud. Authoris filium. - Augsburg : Gedruckt zu ... durch Johann Schultes Buchtrucker, in Verlegung Johann G rlin Buchh ndlers in Ulm 1661.
1667: Joh. Remmelini L.A.M. & M.D. Pinax microcosmographicus in quo certissimum anatomiae compendium variis aere incisis visionibus proponitur. In usum medicorum, chirurgorum, ac pharmacopeorum. Nunc in nostram linguam translatus, & in lucem missus, a Justo Gratiano ... = Ontleding des menschelyke lichaems, waer in alle de deelen des selve met oplichtende fuguren naukeurig en kosntelyk vertoondt worden ... Uit het Latyn in de Nederlandtse tale overgeset, en konstigh in 't licht gebracht door Justus Danckersz. - t'Amsterdam : (ex typographia Pauli Matthiae). Voor Justus Danckersz in de Kalver-straet, 1667.
1671: Anathomie du corps humain. - Se vend a Paris : Chez Jollain, 1671. Broadside [471 x 955 cm overall; image: 39.5 x 29 cm] consisting of three sheets, the central one an engraved plate of anatomical diagrams with (8) moving flaps. Anatomical broadside consisting of a central engraved plate depicting a male model, and 28 anatomical diagrams of organs, and part of a skeleton. A succession of flaps, all eight of them intact, on the man's torso reveal the inner organs. A condensed version of the male anatomy of Lukas Kilian's phenomenally popular 1613 set of three flap anatomy engravings for Johann Remmelin s Catoptrum microcosmicum. These were reprinted at least six times by 1671, and numerous partial or whole copies were made into the eighteenth century. The top flap was not glued onto an engraved base, but rather, cut out of it, while the subsequent flaps were glued onto this front flap from behind, leaving the surface of the print relatively flat. The way the flaps are arranged beneath the surface suggests a careful analysis of the original. In Kilian's version, the chest cavity was sliced open around the collarbone, separating the two sides of the breast, and then cutting straight down to the genitalia. When one raised the collarbone flap and spread apart the breasts, one glimpsed interior views of the ribcage, which had been pasted onto the verso of the chest: the effect was almost three-dimensional. In the present sheet, the end result is slightly different, given the economy of pasting all seven flaps under one external flap. And yet, the manner in which figures 22 and 23 were inserted gives a similar sense of the sculptural form experienced in the Kilian version. The two uppermost internal flaps were intentionally printed too wide to fit inside the cavity, and thus the pectoral muscles on the left have been creased and folded. As a result, they stand upright when the flaps are opened, and reinforce the illusionistic depth of the chest. (Suzanne Karr Schmidt, http://www.martayanlan.com/ accessed June 2016).
1679: Anatomy of the principal parts of the human body. Engraving by J. Blanchin after J. Dumoulin, 1679. - Paris (Joignant les grands Augustin [sic] aux deux globes) : Chez Hubert Jaillot, avec privile`ge du Roy, 1679.
The Exeter Library copy is from the first edition printed and published by Joseph Moxon in 1670. Only two other copies of this edition have been located in research libraries, in the Bodleian Library and the Wellcome Library of Medicine in London.
1670: An exact survey of the microcosmus. or little world. Being an anatomie, of the bodies of man and woman Wherein the skin, veins, nerves, muscles, bones, sinews and ligaments are accurately delineated. And curiously pasted together, so as at first sight you may behold all the outward parts of man and woman. And by turning up the several dissections of the paper take a view of all their inwards. With alphabetical referrences to every member and part of the body. Usefull for all doctors, chirurgeons, &c. As also for painters, carvers, and all persons that desire to b acquainted with the parts, and their names, in the bodies of man, or woman. Set forth by Michael Spaher of Tyrol. And Englished by John Ireton, and lastly perused and corrected, by several rare anatomists. - London : Printed by Joseph Moxon, and sold at his shopin Russel street, at the sign of Atlas, MDCLXX, [1670]. - [4] p., 4 leaves of plates : ill. (metal-cut) ; 2 . - ESTC R42719 ; Wing (2nd ed.), S4792A. - Plates have superimposed moveable flaps. This edition uses the plates of the Dutch edition of 1667, whereas later English editions have re-engraved plates. The Dutch plates in turn were based on the 1613 Latin edition, instead of the revised 1619 edition which formed the basis of Latin and German editions.
1675: A survey of the microcosme. Or the anatomie of the bodies of man and woman wherein the skin, veins, nerves, muscles, bones, sinews and ligaments thereof are accurately delineated, and so disposed by pasting, as that each part of the said bodies both inward and outward ar exactly represented. Useful for all doctors, chyrurgeons, statuaries, painters, &c. By Michael Spaher of Tyrol, and Remilinus. Englished by John Ireton Chyrurgeon. - London : printed by Joseph Moxon, and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Atlas on Ludgate-hill, MDCLXXV, [1675]. - [10] p. : ill. ; 2 . - R232301 ; Wing (CD-ROM, 1996) S4793A. - Six locations, four in the UK.
1691: A survey of the microcosme or the anatomy of the bodies of man and woman wherein the skin, veins, arteries, nerves, muscles, bones, sinews, and ligaments thereof are accurately delineated, and so disposed by pasting, as that each part of the said bodies, both inward and outward, are exactly represented. Useful for all physicians, chyrurgeons, statuaries, painters, &c. By Michael Spaher of Tyrol, and Remilinus. Englished by John Ireton, chyrurgeon. - Lonon [i.e. London] : Printed by James Moxon, and are to be sold at his shop, at the sign of the Atlas in Warwick-Lane, M DC XCI, [1691]. - [6] p. , [7] plates : ill. 2 . - ESTC R184502 ; Wing (CD-ROM, 1996), S4793B. - Two locations in the UK.
1695: A survey of the microcosme: or, The anatomy of the bodies of man and woman. Wherein the skin, veins, arteries, nerves, muscles, viscera, bones, and ligaments thereof are accurately delineated, and so disposed by pasting, as that all the parts of the said bodies, both internal and external, are exactly represented in their proper site. Useful for all physicians, chyrurgeons, statuaries, painters, &c. By Michael Sapher of Tyrol, and Remilinus. Corrected by Clopton Havers, M.D. and Fellow of the Royal Society. - London : printed and sold by James Moxon at the sign of Atlas in Warwick-Lane, and at his shop in Westminster-Hall, MDCXXCV. [1695]. - [12] p. : ill. (metal-cut) ; 2 . - ESTC R15445 ; Wing (CD-ROM, 1996), S4794. - Seven locations, four in the UK.
1702: A survey of the microcosme: or, the anatomy of the bodies of man and woman. Wherein The skin, veins, arteries, nerves, muscles, viscera, bones, and ligaments thereof are accurately Delineated, and so disposed by Pasting, as that all the parts of the said bodies, both Internal and External, are exactly represented in their proper site. Useful for all physicians, chyrurgeons, statuaries, painters, &c. By Michael Spaher of Tyrol, and Remilinus. Corrected by Clopton Havers, M. D. and Fellow of the Royal Society. - The second edition. - London : printed for Dan. Midwinter, and Tho. Leigh at the Rose and Crown in St. Paul's-Church-Yard, MDCCII, [1702]. - [10]p.,plates ; 1 . - ESTC T147736. - Ten locations, six in the UK.
Copyright © Ian Maxted 2003. This page last updated 9 September 2024