Zodiacus Vitae is a treatise on neo-Platonic/hermetic morality in poetic form composed of 12 songs (one for each zodiac sign), composed by Pier Angelo Manzolli (1500? -1543) under the pseudonym of Marcellus Palingenius de Stellata (the name is revealed by an acrostic to the first 24 lines of book 1). It is actually a virulent satire of the clergy, including popes (whose hypocrisy is strongly disputed), published in Venice in 1536 and dedicated to the Duke of Ferrara by its author. His vehemence earned him the wrath of the Inquisition and a blacklisting in 1559. Translated into several languages, the work was however a definite success and numerous editions circulated in Europe. Work decorated with a frontispiece, bands, a drop cap and engraved dead ends. Ultimately enriched with important index of 36 p.
The second is an essay on the Latin language, composed in Latin and Greek by Jean Sturm (1507-1589), Protestant scholar and educator, founder of the Strasbourg Gymnasium, at the origin of the Protestant Academy (1566), which in 1621 became the University of Strasbourg. In 1539, Jean Sturm was appointed rector of the future Faculty of Protestant Theology in Strasbourg. Author of numerous writings, strongly engaged in religious controversies of his time, Sturm wanted to promote an education model based on "knowledge and eloquence". His work (around 155 publications) consists of editions, translations and commentaries on classical texts, in particular those of Cicero, editions of contemporary texts, treatises on rhetoric and dialectic, politico-religious writings, and teaching manuals or programmatic writings on education and pedagogy. Work decorated with two engraved bands and a drop cap.
The third, which deals with baptisteries of the Elders and the Christian ritual, was written by Jean Henri Wedderkamp. Work decorated with engraved bands and dead ends.
Tiny traces of dirt on the vellum (back in particular), otherwise copy in good condition, though with a few pages detached.
 
MANZOLLI, Pietro Angelo (PALINGENIUS, Marcellus); STURM, Jean; WEDDERKAMP, Jo [hann] Henri [ch]. - 
1 / Marcelli Palingenii Stellati Poëta doctissimi, Zodiacus vitae. De Vita, Studio, ac Moribus Hominum optime institendis. Libri XII. Additis, quae nusquam hactenus inveniebantur, fingulorum librorum summariis. Cum Locupletissimo Index. Nova edition;
2 / Joannis Sturmii Linguae Latinae Resolvendae Ratio;
3 / De Baptisteriis veterum libellus.
Frankfurt and Leipzig, Leonberg; Iena; Helmstadt, Chez Christian Albert Pfeiffer; Typis Pavli Ehrichii; Apud Jo. Melch. Sustermannum, typis Salomonis Schnorrii, 1704; nd [1704?]; 1703. 3 volumes bound in one.
In-8 - 10 x 17 cm - Dutch binding of the time in full vellum, title in ink at the head of the back.  - 
5 ff, 320 pp., 36 p. (Index); 6 f., 203 pp., 21 p. ; 14 p., 96 pp.
 
Comprehensive collection of three separate volumes, in Latin: