This herbal, which is very rare on the market, is a translation of Aromatum et simplicium aliquot medicamentorum, which was first published by Plantin in 1567. Although this is the third Italian edition, it includes a letter about foreign drugs, which the earlier editions lack, and an abridged version of the work of Spanish physician Nicólas Monardes (1493-1588), which is not present in all other copies.
Garcia de Orta (ca. 1501-1568) was a Portuguese physician of Jewish descent and is considered a pioneer of tropical medicine, as he was the first European to describe Indian medicinal plants in their natural habitat. Although he was clasically trained, he did not blindly rely on the works of classical physicians, like Hippocrates, Galenus and Dioscorides, and instead trusted his own observations. It was because of his work that European botanists learned that tamarind did not grow on a palm tree, as was previously thought. His Colóquias, however, is mostly known for its detailed and comprehensive descriptions of tropical diseases, especially cholera. It is largely because of this that the work is still considered a classic in its genre today.
Except for de Orta's text, this work also contains a letter by Borgaruccio Borgarucci on Francesco Calzolari's collection of foreign drugs and a second part with an abridged version of Monardes' Historia medicinal de las cosas que se traen de nuestras Indias Occidentales, which was first published in 1565 and likewise translated by Clusius. Monardes, who had studied at the same university as De Orta, is also considered a pioneer in tropical medicine, although his work focused on the medicinal plants of the Americas, especially tobacco. He never left Spain, but grew plants in his garden that were brought back by soldiers and others who had been overseas. Since his and De Orta's works were similar, they were more often combined in the same binding. However, it is missing in some Italian copies of both this and earlier editions.
With the art nouveau bookplate of the Horticultural society of New York mounted on the front pastedown and a blind-stamped owner's stamp of this society on page 71. Stamps of Dottore Timoteo Riboli on the title-page and an owner's inscription on the last flyleaf ("Ex Libri Giaccone Hieronymi, Lamicora(?)"). Manuscript annotations in Italian in some of the margins and on the final page. Front hinge cracked, but the sewing supports are still intact. Title-page slightly browned, with a small, brown stain in the margin. The first few pages have a waterstain in the top outer corner, but without affecting the text. With a thumb print on page 177. The annotations have been cut off, because the pages have been trimmed. Slight foxing throughout. Overall in good condition. Alden 589/50; Bibl. Belg. (1964-75) O11; BM STCI p. 478; Durling 3421; Palau 99520, Sabin 57669; Wellcome I, 4661; cf. Boxer, Two pioneers of tropical medicine: Garcia d'Orta and Nicolás Monardes, 1963.