Athanasius Kircher: "Ars Magna Lucis et Umbrae", 1671年

"Ars Magna Lucis et Umbrae", In X Libros digesta, Amsterdam 1671, edited by Joannes Janssonius-Waesberghe. 810 pages + 9 plates, with numerous wood engravings and one neat portrait, 43 copperplates and one large copperplate "Horoscopium Catholicum Societ. Jesu", 67 x 43,5 cm. – Brown leather-bound volume, with minimal moudly. – Kircher (1602–1680) was a major German academic and famous Egyptologist, in 1646 published his legendary work "Ars Magna Lucis et Umbrae", which included revolutionary advances in projecting images. He observed the sun using the camera obscura. It is impossible to know for sure, but at some point during these four years (1640–44) Kircher is believed to have presented a slide show which was projected onto a screen with illumination from behind by a candle. In 1646 Kircher had published his "Ars Magna" (1st edition, Rome) which detailed the camera obscura and magic lantern! The name mentioned the most in reference to the magic lantern, Kircher describes it in his "Ars Magna Lucis et Umbrae" (The Great Art of Light and Shadow, 1st ed. vol. 10, Rome, Italy, 1646) and illustrates a nearly room-sized camera obscura (plate 28 of vol. 10. sec. 2). In the last volume he explains the magic lantern and its use. Kircher describes a construction of a camera similar to that of Wotton's description (which was of Kepler's). Kircher also details in the book a revolving wheel of painted pictures, something which wasn't seen again until the 19th century. "Ars Magna" (1st ed.) did not include any illustration of the magic lantern however it did include a fine illustration of the camera obscura.
– Classic! Very attractive exhibition piece and desirable collector's item!