First Dutch edition of a famous work on the composition and medicinal values of the sulphur springs in Aachen and Burtscheid. The Flemish doctor François Blondel (1613-1703), devoted his life to the promotion of the medicinal qualities of these springs. Since Roman times, the springs were known to provide relief against rheumatism, gout, and scrofulous disorders. Blondel assisted with the design new spa facilities and recommended drinking the water. Through his influence, Aachen became one of the most renowned spas in Europe, attracting many prominent visitors. This provided the city, which suffered a major fire in 1656, with an important source of income.
The work is a translation of Thermarum Aquisgranensium et Porcetanarum descriptio, which was first published in 1671. It is illustrated with a birds-eye-view plan and a general view of the city, as well as detailed views of the town hall, baths and fountains, and some bath items and scenes. The six medicinal springs are indicated on the folding plan of Aachen. The engraved illustrations in the text depict the outside of the bath houses, different bathing and steaming installations, showers, a schematic layout of the chemical composition of the springs and the reasons for their warmth. There are two issues of this 1727 publication, one with and one without the author's name printed on the title page. This is the issue without the author's name.
The second work is one of the three issues of the first edition of an illustrated description of the city of Cleves and its medicinal springs. The text, which consists of a large poem, is written by Pieter Langendijk (1683-1756), one of the most important and famous Dutch playwrights and poets from the 18th century. He visited the city of Cleves and its medicinal springs around 1744 in order to improve his declining health, especially his sense of sight. The poem is heavily annotated, providing a "real" description of the city, based on the works on Cleves available to Langendijk at the time. The ten plates are engraved after drawings by the well-known draughtsman Jan de Beijer (1703-ca.1770),
With a later annotation about ad 2 on the front pastedown. The corners of the boards are slightly scuffed, the spine is somewhat rubbed and creased, lacking a chip of leather from the title label. The work is slightly browned throughout, a few plates with a small tear in margin, 1 plate with a few expertly restored tears and margins, the index of ad 1 is bound after ad 2. Otherwise in good condition. Ad 1: Bibl. Walleriana 1150 (1st ed. only); Blake, STC, pp. 51; STCN 239967615; cf. Wellcome II, pp. 182 (Latin eds. only); ad 2: Meijer, Pieter Langendyk, pp. 137-147; STCN 153214570; cf. NNBW pp. 764-768.