Numismatics - Magic alphabets - Lot 588

Numismatics - Magic alphabets POINSINET de SIVRY (Louis) Nouvelles recherches sur la science des médailles, inscriptions et hiéroglyphes antiques. Maestricht, Dufour & Roux, 1778. In-4: VI, 191pp. (the last two pages are actually paginated fold-out plates); illustrated with 6 paginated plates out of text, 3 of which are fold-outs (Hebrew alphabet; Arabic alphabet by Father Metoscita; Persian, Arabic, African letters... by Sigismond Fante) and 6 other plates in fine, one of which is fold-out. Some browned leaves. Dominoté paper boards, handwritten title on spine. A rare work, particularly sought-after for the section devoted to magic alphabets and talismans. This is the first study of Tycho Brahe's famous magic calendar, one plate of which is reproduced. Provenance: Printed bookplate Octave A4514 in La Réole.