Guido de Cauliaco, 23 December 1499

GUIDO DE CAULIACO (c.1300–1368). Chirurgia, and other texts. Venice: Simon de Luere, for Andreas Torresanus, de Asula, 23 December 1499.

Second edition of Guido de Cauliaco’s magnum opus, with early English and Welsh ownership. Surgery in the modern era begins with Guido de Cauliaco, the most prominent surgeon of his time. Initially written in 1363, Cauliaco’s Chirurgia continued to be highly regarded well beyond the 15th century. Printed for the first time in 1498, his Chirurgia is joined by numerous additional editiones principes, and this second edition adds two new treatises on ophthalmology. The extensive early English marginal notes and comments, particularly in the first sections, indicate that the book was in use in Great Britian from an early date in its history, and an ownership inscription of ‘Lud[ovick] Vaughan’ indicates a localization of Wales. The contemporary English binding and extensive annotations in English show that this copy was imported into and closely consulted in England soon after its printing, first by a Godman and, in the next century by a Welshman Ludovicus Vaughan. HC *4812; BMC V 575; BSB-Ink G-429; Bod-inc G-273; GW 11697; Goff G-559; Klebs 494.2; ISTC ig00559000.

Super-chancery folio (308 × 210mm). 270 leaves. Small woodcut diagrams and illustrations (title-page remargined at gutter, a few other leaves strengthened at outer edge or with small neat repairs, small wormhole in first quire, occasional stains). Contemporary English blindstamped calf over wooden boards by Oldham’s W.G.-I.G. binder, sides diapered with fleurs-de-lis in compartments (Oldham 30, pl. X), frame of quatre-foil roll (Oldham DI.a(9), pl. XXXIX), catchplates, evidence of chain staple on lower back cover (rebacked, somewhat worn and lightly restored with original flyleaves retained, without straps). Provenance: Godman (early name on front flyleaf) – some early annotations in Latin and English – Lud. Vaughan (16th-century title inscription with motto ‘Vive ut vivas’) – [J. Burn]? – Arthur Lyons (bookplate).