A Paris, Chez François Clousier, 1665, in-4 (22,9 x 17 cm or 9.02 x 6.69 inches), 3 ff. - 212 pp., contemporary full brown calf (wears on spine-ends and corners), spine raised on 5 bands, 5 compartments gilt tooled, one compartment with gilt lettered red morocco label, rolls on the leading edges, sprinkled edges.
First edition of the one of the most complete works on chiromancy. Enriched by 90 engraved plates with more than 1400 analyzed hands including a summary on hand lines. "One has to draw attention in particular to the work "la science curieuse", wich is illustrated with beautiful full-page plates, of a most precise character. I have studied the book closely and can only say that is extremely practical and regret that has become almost unobtainable..." (Dr G. Lomer). In our copy, the bookbinder has reversed a gathering of plates and forgot to insert the plates 77, 78, 79, 80. Some minor foxings. Handwritten Ex dono on the lower part of the title page. Cfr. Giono Sabattini, Bibliografia Chiromanzia, 492 "Edizione originale rara" ; Caillet 10053 "..un des meilleurs traités de la chiromancie du XVIIe siècle" ; Biblioth. Esoterica 4478 (2ème édition de 1667) ; Stanislas de Guaita 2109 (édit. de 1667).