Földvári Books

Scarce 17th-Century Treaties on Hermaphrodites

Duval, Jacques

Des Hermaphrodits, accouchemens des femmes, et traitement qui est requis pour les relever en santé, & bien élever leurs enfans. Où sont expliquez la figure des laboureur, et verger du genre humain, […].

Rouen: De l’imprimerie de David Geoffroy, demeurant à la ruë des Cordeliers, joignant sainct Pierre, 1612. In 18th century leather, spine with raised bands, compartment gilt, with red title vignette. Gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers, tinted edges. Woodcut device on the title page, woodcut portrait of the author on the verso. Woodcut initials and a tailpiece, typographic headpieces. Illustrated with 5 large woodcuts. [16] 447 [11] p. (Some misnumbered, omitted). (Complete). / Binding rubbed, opened at joints, but firm. Paper tanned, stained occasionally. With a wormhole affecting four quires, with some loss to the text. Otherwise in very good condition.

First edition of Duval’s scarce work on the hermaphrodites.

Jacques Duval (1555–1615?) was a well-educated surgeon who practiced at Paris and Rouen, author of medical books on very diverse subjects. Des Hermaphrodits is a detailed treatment of hermaphroditism within a volume on obstetric medicine, in which Duval also delineates a history of hermaphrodites, the various opinions of doctors and authors about them, the history of androgynes, several historical cases of hermaphrodites and the approach of religion and justice toward the subject. Duval’s work, privileging empirical observation and clinical examination over traditional academic modes of training, is considered a fault line in the history of science in France (Long, 2021). Duval’s medical examination and testimony at a sorcery trial saved a hermaphrodite from burning at the stake, however his book was condemned and burned, and hence is scarce today.

Literature: Long, K. (2021). Jacques Duval on Hermaphrodites. In K. Long (Ed.), High Anxiety (pp. 107–138). University Park, USA: Penn State University Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780271090979-009.

Price: €1,800.00