1497 Hortus Sanitatis Incunable Leaf Harpy Swallow Gyrfalcon Ibis Woodcuts
An original illustrated incunable leaf from the first Strasbourg edition of the Hortus Sanitatis [Ortus Sanitatis], printed by Johann Prüss not after 21 October 1497, from the celebrated De Avibus et Volatilibus section devoted to birds and flying creatures.
This is a particularly interesting leaf because it contains the substantial text of Capitulum LXI, Arpia – the Harpy, followed by chapters on the Swallow (Hyrundo), Gyrfalcon / Herodius (Erodios / Herodius), and Ibis, together with three original fifteenth-century woodcut illustrations.
The Harpy chapter preserves a remarkable example of late-medieval natural history, in which fabulous creatures were discussed alongside observable animals. The text describes the Harpy as a ravenous and ferocious winged creature with curved claws and a human face, and refers explicitly to the Harpies of Virgil’s Aeneid, Book III. The woodcut illustrating the Harpy itself appeared on the preceding leaf; the present leaf retains the extensive Harpy text.
The first surviving woodcut introduces the chapter on the Swallow, showing numerous birds flying around and above a substantial medieval architectural structure. The accompanying text discusses the swallow’s forked tail, seasonal return, nesting in human dwellings, construction of nests from straw and mud, and the legendary lapis celidonius associated with the bird.
The second woodcut introduces Herodius / Erodios, identified in the text with the gyrfalcon, and depicts a vigorous medieval hunting scene with a large raptor, a hound-like animal and long-eared quarry. The chapter discusses the exceptional strength of the bird and the use of trained dogs during the hunt.
The third woodcut introduces the Ibis, represented as a long-legged, long-billed bird standing beside water. The text associates the ibis with Egypt and serpents and discusses medieval attempts to distinguish it from the stork.
The Hortus Sanitatis was one of the major illustrated natural-history encyclopaedias of the fifteenth century, combining plants, terrestrial animals, birds, aquatic creatures, stones, medicine and uroscopy. Its importance lies in the way it preserves the late-medieval intellectual world, where observation, inherited classical authority, medicine, folklore and fabulous creatures all existed within the same framework of natural history.
The first Strasbourg edition was printed by Johann Prüss and is bibliographically recorded as ISTC ih00487000; GW 13550; Goff H487; BSB-Ink H-389.
Very good condition overall for an original fifteenth-century incunable leaf. The paper remains sound, with strong and clear impressions of both the Gothic letterpress and the three woodcuts. There is expected age-toning, light spotting and minor marking, together with slight marginal and handling wear. A small early or later manuscript/pencil notation is present near the upper margin. The printed areas remain substantially complete and well preserved. Uncoloured.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
Title: Hortus Sanitatis [Ortus Sanitatis]
Section: De Avibus et Volatilibus
Subjects: Harpy, Swallow, Gyrfalcon / Herodius, Ibis
Printer: Johann Prüss
Place: Strasbourg
Date: Not after 21 October 1497
Edition: First Strasbourg edition
Format: Original single incunable leaf
Printing: Gothic letterpress with three original woodcuts
Language: Latin
Bibliography: ISTC ih00487000; GW 13550; Goff H487; BSB-Ink H-389
An evocative and highly collectable original 1497 incunable leaf, particularly notable for its extensive Harpy text, explicit reference to Virgil’s Aeneid, and three surviving fifteenth-century bird and hunting woodcuts.
Location: MAP DRAWER A SLEEVE A100
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