All loans due in June, 2021 should be returned or renewed (re-loaned). Materials due in June 2021 must be renewed or returned by October 1 to avoid being billed a replacement charge.
You may return any University of Iowa Libraries books by shipping them to Hardin Library.
Ship books to Hardin Library, 600 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
Please use shipping with tracking such as USPS Priority Mail or UPS.
Hardin Library has a low barrier book return at the Newton Road entrance. Come inside the first set of doors and you will see a wooden book return with a slot (nothing to pull) for returns. You may return any University of Iowa books here. This door is near parking and is handicapped accessible.
Celebrate National Poetry Month by viewing this work perhaps written by James Howell.
Make an appointment to view in person with curator damien-ihrig@uiowa.edu or by calling 319-335-9154.
[JAMES HOWELL] (1594?-1666)] A hermeticall banquet, drest by a spagiricall cook : for the better preservation of the microcosme. Printed for Andrew Crooke, and are to be sold at the Green Dragon in S. Pauls Church-yard 1652 1st edition. [35], 161 p. 14 cm.
This work is of unknown authorship but has been attributed variously to James Howell, Thomas Vaughan, and Sir Thomas Cademan. Denham, in the ‘Wellcome Library’ argues that the first two attributions are impossible since the author’s dedicatory epistle – addressed to Sir Isaac Wake, one of his patients and ambassador to France – necessitates a date of 1631 or earlier, impossible for Vaughan and a bit early for Howell.
Denham suggests Cademan (d.1651), who received a degree from the famous medical university at Padua, and was physician to Queen Henrietta Maria and the Earl of Bedford. Denham’s attribution is suggested by the author’s curious reference to himself as a vegetable reborn, something that suggests for Denham a word play linking the author’s name with the caddis fly. And our author refers in this text to his time as a student in Padua, describing his walks through the botanical garden.
Whoever the author be, he is contemptuous of other medicos, and gives us his own recipe for healthy living, liberally flavored with humor and fantasy. He begins by comparing man the microcosm, to the universe, or macrocosm.
Health will be produced if we mirror in our regimen the balance of the components of the universe. He then treats the stomach, beginning with advice to avoid overeating, and (in case the advice is unheeded) following up with a number of compound herbal recipes for indigestion.
Next he discourses upon the brain, which he allegorizes as the king of our microcosm, served by entertaining such nourishing courtiers as Ovid and Ben Jonson. In this section, recipes – some with more than twenty ingredients – are given not only to sharpen the brain, but also for healthy vision and hearing.
Next comes his treatment of the liver, a particularly zany chapter in the course of which our author breaks into poetry, telling of his courtship of Lady Health and the banquets they shared together, in which the author had difficulty containing his desires for ‘pyes,’ ‘maqeroni,’ and marzipan.
In the final chapter, allegory carries him almost totally away, as he sets sail to the “Cardiacall Territoryes,” where he encounters such characters as Don Ambitio and Signora Impudentia. He seems to have left Health completely behind, until at the end he offers heart-cooling recipes for the young and heart-warming prescriptions for the elderly. This book is very rare.
Cited references Wellcome III p.253 (Hermeticall); NLM 17th c. #5531 (Hermeticall)
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Damien Ihrig at damien-ihrig@uiowa.edu or 319-335-9154.
Celebrate National Poetry Month by viewing this work of 2400 rhyming couplets by Erasmus.
Make an appointment to view in person with curator damien-ihrig@uiowa.edu or by calling 319-335-9154.
ERASMUS DARWIN (1731-1802) The botanic garden; A poem, in two parts. Part I. Containing The economy of vegetation. Part II. The loves of the plants. Printed for J. Johnson 1791 Part I, [2nd ed.]; Part II, 3rd ed. Pt. I: xii, 214, 126 [2] pp., 10 plates (1 fold. (front.)); Pt. II: [4] ix, 197 pp., 10 plates (front.). 27.3 cm.
One of Darwin’s many interests was botany and he established a small botanic garden at his residence in Lichfield both for the study of plants and to grow his own medicinal herbs. The present poetic work resulted from this interest and brought him immediate fame as a poet. The economy of vegetation first appeared in 1791 and was in reality an introduction to and course of instruction in a broad range of scientific and technological subjects. Its 2400 lines of rhyming couplets are explained in a lengthy series of explanatory footnotes. The loves of the plants was published first in 1789, and presented an allegorical account of the Linnean system of plant classification and explained in verse how the various classes of plants are fertilized.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Damien Ihrig at damien-ihrig@uiowa.edu or 319-335-9154.
Hardin Library will be open longer hour and open on weekends beginning April 18, 2021.
Monday-Thursday
7:30am-9:00pm
Friday
7:30am-6:00pm
Saturday-Sunday
Noon-5:00pm
The Hardin Library reference desk is staffed whenever the library is open. We welcome any questions!
The 24-hour study will remain open when the library is closed. The 24-hour study contains a few Windows computers as well as a printer. Use your Iowa One Card or UIHC Badge to unlock the study when the library is closed.
ADAM LONICER (1528-1586) Kreuterbuch, kunstliche Conterfeytunge der Bäume, Stauden, Hecken, Kreuter, Getreyde, Gewürtze. Printed in Frankfort by Christian Egenolph, 1587. 382 numbered leaves (764 pages) with color illustrations. 31 cm tall.
We know from other sources that Lonicer (also referenced as Lonitzer, Lonicerum, Lonicerus, or Loniceri) worked as a proofreader for his father-in-law, a German printer who specialized in producing herbals. He eventually went on to write his own works covering mathematics, medicine, and botany. Kreuterbuch… (originally titled in Latin, Naturalis historiae opus novum) was published in 1546 and, although much of it was not original to Lonicer, became a hit. The book saw several editions, including the 1587 edition described here. The last edition was printed in 1783.
The text covers much of the known natural world at the time and had a wide audience that included physicians, apothecaries, and both rural and urban householders. The emphasis is on how one uses animal, vegetable, and mineral substances in the production of medicinal, gastronomical, and household preparations. Lonicer provides us with one of the early descriptions of local flora, and, among his other accomplishments, he is one of the first to distinguish deciduous trees from conifers.
The most striking features of this book are its hundreds of hand-colored woodcuts. As one can imagine, coloring in each image is an intensive task and would have greatly increased the cost of the book. Because of this, many existing early printed herbals are found unpainted. The book was rebound at an unknown point in the 20th century with a soft, milky vellum (calfskin parchment) over pasteboard (sheets of paper pasted together to create a stiff board). The spine titling consists of black and red leather labels with gold tooling. These contrast nicely with the lighter cover.
The book also has excellent examples of conservation work, including the application of a thin, strong Japanese paper on the outer margin of the first leaf. This part of the leaf has been heavily used and is now damaged and brittle. The application of the paper support strengthens the edge and lessens the chance of further damage. This same paper was also to repair the inner margin between a few other leaves. The text block shows the staining, wear, and foxing (oxidation of iron particles in the paper) one would expect from a book of this age but is still in great condition. With proper care, it will have a happy, long life here at the John Martin Rare Book Room!
If you or your group are interested in seeing this or other items mentioned in our newsletters, please contact Damien Ihrig at damien-ihrig@uiowa.edu to arrange a visit in person (one person) or over Zoom (one or more people).
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact our office in advance at damien-ihrig@uiowa.edu or 319-335-9154.
by Duncan Stewart, MA, MLIS, Rare Materials Cataloger, University of Iowa Libraries,
Adjunct Faculty, School of Library and Information Sciences, University of Iowa
Duncan Stewart, MA, MLIS
The John Martin Rare Book Room (JMRBR) is filled with books of great medical historical value. But do you know how all those books get into the JMRBR? A book’s journey to the Rare Book Room may start as a donation or as a purchase from a rare book dealer. After being physically recorded as a new part of the collection, all books travel next to one of the University of Iowa Libraries’ rare book catalogers.
Catalogers ply their trade buried within library technical services departments. There they pore over uncatalogued books, comparing the book in hand to its donor or vendor descriptions, taking note of authors, how the leaves of paper were printed and bound, recording how many pages and illustrations there are, and spotting errors that make that book unique. Then catalog librarians weave these disparate threads of information into a single tapestry in the online catalog enabling scholars and other library patrons to discover a new and unique addition to the collection. A full essay on all aspects of cataloging rare books would be long and probably stupefying. However, this title page from a 16th-century herbal work on medicinal plants illustrates one step of rare book classification.
The full title is:
Kreuterbuch, kunstliche Conterfeytunge der Bäume, Stauden, Hecken, Kreuter, Getreyde, Gewürtze : mit eygentlicher Beschreibung derselben Namen, in sechserley Spraachen, nemlich Griechisch, Latinisch, Italianisch, Frantzösisch, Teutsch und Hispanisch und derselben Gestalt, natürlicher Krafft und Wirkung. Sampt künstlichem und artlichem Bericht des Distillierens. Item von fürnembsten Gethieren der Erden, Vögeln, und Fischen, dessgleichen von Metallen, Ertze, Edelgesteinen, Gummi, und gestandenen Säfften. Jetzo auffs fleissigst zum Letzten mal von neuwem ersehen, und durchauss an vielen Orten gebessert, auch weit über vorige Edition gemehret, mit vollkommenen nützlichert Registeren alles Innhalts / durch Adamum Lonicerum
Or loosely translated into English from 16th-century German:
Herbal book, an artful representation of trees, shrubs, hedges, herbs, grains, and spices. With detailed description and their names in six different languages, Greek, Latin, Italian, French, German, and Spanish, and with descriptions of their physical appearance, natural strength, and effects. Artfully collected into a report on distilling. As well as information about the most important animals of the earth, birds, fish, metals, ores, precious stones, saps, and juices. Now seen in greater detail than the previous edition, greatly improved, with useful tables of contents / by Adam Lonitzer.
The title page does not provide all the information needed, such as the number of pages, printing technique, or binding method, But the lengthy title conveys what the book is about, as well as where, when, and who created it. It also contains a wealth of information to begin an online catalog record. Details like the author’s name, which will be one way to find this book in the catalog. The details in the title help the cataloger determine subject headings to describe the book’s contents. And create a call number. The place, printer, and date at the foot of the title page offer details of book production in the western part of Germany in the late 16th century. The woodcut print demonstrates the intricate carving and laborious hand coloring lavished on illustrations in this text.
The title page printed in red and black, the luxurious decoration, and the Gothic script all serve notice that this book is one of some importance. Also, the woodcut illustration depicts an image of men at work, especially in the important economic activity of distilling in Frankfurt am Main, which continues to this day. Thus, the title page is the foundation for the catalog record below.
Title
Kreuterbuch,…
Author
Lonicer, Adam 1528-1586
Subjects
Botany — Pre-Linnean works
Natural history Botany, Medical — Early works to 1800
Medicinal plants
Herbals
Herbs
Distillation
Materia medica
Vellum bindings (Binding)
Encyclopedias — Germany — 1587
Description
Binding: Modern vellum over pasteboard, raised bands, black and red morocco labels
First published in Latin under title: Naturalis historiae opus novum.
“Five large and 13 small woodcut vignettes, and hundreds of woodcuts of plants, flowers, fruits, animals, minerals and gems, all with contemporary hand coloring.”–Vender catalog
Title printed in red, guide words throughout
Includes indexes
References: Pritzel (2nd) 5599
Publisher
Zu Franckfort : Bey Christian Egenolffs seligen Erben
Creation Date
1587
Format
14 unnumbered pages, CCCLXXXII, 3 unnumbered leaves : color illustrations ; 31 cm
Hardin Library has a 24-hour study that is available when the library is closed.
The study is available to all University of Iowa affiliated:
students in any major
residents
staff
faculty
fellows
Access the 24-hour study with your Iowa One-Card or UIHC Badge when the library is closed. If you are at the library near closing time, you may remain in the 24-hour study.
DEMOURS, ANTOINE PIERRE (1762-1836) Traité des maladies des yeux : avec des planches coloriées représentant ces maladies d’après nature, suivi de la description de l’œil humain / traduite du latin de S.T. Soemmerring [Treatise on eye diseases: with colored plates representing these diseases from nature, followed by the description of the human eye] Printed by Crochard in 1818. First edition. 4 volumes. 21 cm tall (Volume 4 is 27 cm).
This four-volume work, one of the most important and elaborate books on the diseases of the eye published to that time, includes the first full description of glaucoma in which heightened intraocular pressure is recognized. The work is a compilation of hundreds of carefully annotated case histories obtained in the course of the author’s 20 years of experience and from his father’s nearly 50 years of practice. Credit for the observations on glaucoma belongs principally to the father, Pierre Demours, who was the superior clinical investigator, though it is quite properly shared with the son who excelled as a surgeon.
The final volume contains a French translation of the Latin edition of S.T. Soemmerring’s Abbildungen des menschlichen Auges [Illustrations of the Human Eye]. The 65 plates include remarkable specimens of early printed color illustrations.
Demours obtained a reputation more for his bold and skillful operations than for his scientific contributions. He became oculist to the Kings Louis XVIII and Charles X of France. Demours’ operation to transplant an artificial pupil created a great sensation, not only in France but all over Europe.
The four volumes are modestly bound, with a dark blue paper pasted over paper boards. The first three volumes contain only text, and all the books show minor foxing (reddish-brown staining due to chemicals inherent to the paper and their interaction with the environment) throughout. Even with a simple binding, given its size and vibrant illustrations, the fourth volume definitely stands out from the others!
If you are interested in seeing this , please contact Curator Damien Ihrig at damien-ihrig@uiowa.edu to arrange a visit in person or over Zoom.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact damien-ihrig@uiowa.edu or call 319-335-9154.
The title page printed in red and black, the luxurious decoration, and the Gothic script all serve notice that this book is one of some importance. Also, the woodcut illustration depicts an image of men at work, especially in the important economic activity of distilling in Frankfurt am Main, which continues to this day. Thus, the title page is the foundation for
The final volume contains a French translation of the Latin edition of S.T. Soemmerring’s Abbildungen des menschlichen Auges [Illustrations of the Human Eye]. The 65 plates include remarkable specimens of early printed color illustrations.