Medicine; Essays on Physiognomy, John Caspar Lavater, 1797

A well illustrated 18th Century text by the Swiss Physiognomist, John Caspar Lavater (1741-1801). The illustrations contributed heavily to the books popularity. The books featured Lavater's belief that the character of a person could be elucidated through examining their “lines of countenance”, and the book featured a machine for drawing facial silhouettes as its frontispiece.

Medicine: Essays on Physiognomy; calculated to extend the Knowledge and the Love of Mankind. Written by the Rev. John Caspar Lavater, citizen of Zurich. Translated from the last Paris edition, by the Rev. C. Moore, L.L.D., F.R.S. Illustrated by Several Hundred Engravings, accurately copied from the Originals. Volume III (Note: the title page states Volume III, but the Contents are actually Volume II - we have seen this error previously in other copies and it is as issued).

Sold by H.D. Symonds, London, 1797. First edition.

A good hardback with black leather spine and marbled paper over boards. Covers scuffed, bumped and rubbed with tender outer joints, but binding holding. Cracked front endpaper and first free blank endpaper loosening.

Text is very good - some age toning and minor marks, but clear and bright with the numerous plates well presented and clean. An interesting addition to the library of any Medical collector.

Text in English.

Contains Lectures XVIII to Lecture XXXII. Prelims + 187-354pp + 255pp-288pp + numerous Plates. The page number sequence is erratic, but text appears to run correctly.

Dimensions: Approximately 210mm high x 138mm wide x 25mm deep.

Weight approximately 484g unpacked.