FICINUS, Marsilius (1433–1499). De vita libri tres (De triplici vita). – Apologia. – Quod necessaria sit ad vitam securitas. – Annotatio. [Basel: Johann Amerbach, c.1496–97, not after 1498].

Second Basel edition of a medical manual by the foremost Renaissance humanist. Its three books concern a healthy life, a long life and the influence of astrological phenomena. He discusses melancholy at length, an affliction to which scholars are especially susceptible. He considers black bile a cause of madness and melancholy but also the sole substance in the body responsible for genius. By linking profound thought to black bile, Ficinus dwells on the temperamental nature of genius, or how it can be beneficial to be a little crazy (Kaske), and De triplici vita is an early if not the first guide for students’ wellbeing. The third book is noteworthy for its approach to astrology in medicine, dealing with demons, magic, amulets and talismans. It was a strong influence on Paracelsus and forwards the notion that with a sound understanding of the body and medicine, humans can affect their own temperaments and conditions in spite of cosmological forces (e.g., the position of the stars and planets). HC *7063; BMC III 759; BSB-Ink F-117; Bod-inc F-052; CIBN F-76; GW 9885; Goff F-160; Klebs 397.4. ISTC if00160000.

Chancery quarto (206 × 144mm). 100 leaves (a few spots and stains). Contemporary half blindstamped pigskin over wooden boards, brass catchplate and clasp, remains of old library labels on spine (endpapers renewed, a little stained and lightly worn). Provenance: marginalia – Prof. Guiseppe Franchini, 1879–1938 (ink stamp on rear endpaper).