Amatus Lusitanus (pseudonym of João Rodrigues de Castello Branco). Curationum Medicinalium, Centuria Prima ["First Century": collection of medical case histories].

AUCTION 50 | Thursday, February 24th, 2011 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Hebrew Printed Books, Manuscripts, Graphic & Ceremonial Art Including: The Alfonso Cassuto Collection of Iberian Art

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Lot 317
(MEDICINE).

Amatus Lusitanus (pseudonym of João Rodrigues de Castello Branco). Curationum Medicinalium, Centuria Prima ["First Century": collection of medical case histories].

<<FIRST EDITION.>> pp. (16), 391, (1 blank). Title repaired, final leaf marginally torn, few light stains. Contemporary limp vellum, stained. 8vo. Friedenwald, p. 36.

Florence: Laurentius Torrentinus 1551

Est: $1,000 - $1,500
PRICE REALIZED $2,400
The Maranno Physician Amatus Lusitanus, is likely the Single Most Renowned Medical Figure of the Renaissance Era. The first edition of Amatus' Curationum Medicinalium, Centuria Prima is exceedingly rare. WorldCat shows but two copies: Biblioth`eque Nationale de France (Paris) and the Berlin State Library. The word "Lusitano" appended to the author’s name, indicates his Portuguese origin. This flaunting of Portuguese identity by Marranos who escaped from Portugal to openly practice Judaism in other lands, prompted one Portuguese Christian writer to observe with chagrin: "Small wonder then that other nations, unfamiliar with the piety of the true Portuguese, should be inclined to think that all Lusitanians are Jews… Consequently, many Portuguese are ashamed to admit their nationality abroad. " Sousa, f. 12v. ; cited in E. Glaser, "Invitation to Intolerance, " HUCA, Vol. XXVIII (1956). p. 380.