Harvey’s seminal work on animal generation, rare Amsterdam imprint

William HARVEY: Exercitationes de generatione animalium. With copper engraved title (showing Jove) . Amsterdam: Elzevier 1651 . 16°. [Not num. p. 1-4 (engraved title, printed title)], p. 1-568, [6 not num. p. (index, addenda)]
Contemporary vellum binding on two raised bands, with hand-written title on spine, as well as colour cut.

1st continental edition of this seminal work on animal generation by English physician, anatomist, physiologist and embryologist William Harvey (1578-1657), the most significant advancement in embryology since Aristotle and the first to challenge the prevalent theory of preformation of the foetus by stating „ex ovo omnia“. The engraved title shows Jove opening an egg inscribed with the motto “Ex ovo omnia” from which emerge a variety of creatures (deer, snake, fish, insect, spider and a child). The 1st edition had appeared shortly before in London. Due to it’s success three Amsterdam imprints followed in the same year, preceded copy represents the 2nd of them.

Vellum slightly stained, overall fresh copy of this scarce Elzevier imprint.

Wellcome III