A Work for none but Angels and Men that is, to be able to look into, and to know our selves. Or a book shewing what the soule is...
London: Printed by M[ary]. S[immons]. for Thomas Jenner, at the south-entrance of the Royall Exchange, 1658. 4to, 18.5x13.5cm, [2], 28, [2], 31-39pp. A4-F4. 8 full page engravings, 7 of them folding. "What heaven is, vindicated from the vulgar mistakes, and grosse conceivings of many...", an original work attributed to Jenner, has separate divisional title; pagination and register are continuous. Utilitarian pamphlet binding, paper boards, typed label on front cover. Title page cropped at upper margin affecting "a work," F2 with paper flaw to bottom corner, not affecting text. Otherwise clean internally.
Prose adaptation of Sir John Davies' oracle, Nosce Teipsum (Know Thyself) by the English author, engraver, and publisher, Thomas Jenner (died 1673). Jenner first published a book under this title in 1653, which consisted of the main elegy of Nosce Teipsum, "Of the soule of man, and the immortalitie thereof." This prose version is a different work entirely, and also contains an original essay from Jenner, "What heaven is, vindicated from the vulgar mistakes, and grosse conceivings of many..."
Freeman describes this publication as a borderline example of an emblem book, not strictly adhering to her criteria. The eight plates represent understanding, memory, the sense of smell, hearing, seeing, will, feeling, and fancy. The ESTC makes a note: "Each illustration with engraved verse below. A variant lacks engraved verse." This copy is likely the variant described, with most plates lacking all or part of the verse and title caption, and signature marks at times appear in the illustrations themselves.
A very intriguing work with finely executed, imaginative illustrations. Most publications from Jenner are scarce, and this is no exception. ESTC locates 3 copies in U.S. institutions, two of them at the Huntington.
ESTC R27853. Freeman pg 239. Huth Library, vol III, pg 766.. Item #5387
Price: $1,500.00