Antiquarian book. KIRCHER (Athanasius). *Arca Noë, in tres libros digesta*. Amsterdam, Jan Jansson van Waesberge, 1675. Folio, speckled calfskin, decorated spine, smooth edges (contemporary binding). First edition of the last work – and, according to Dorbon, one of the rarest – by the Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher (1602–1680), an eminent orientalist and encyclopaedic mind of the Baroque era. The work, dedicated to the young King Charles II of Spain, is entirely devoted to the biblical account of the Flood and Noah’s Ark. A very fine and curious collection of intaglio engravings, comprising a beautiful allegorical frontispiece, a portrait of the dedicatee and 14 (out of 19) separate plates and maps, often spread across two pages or as fold-outs, to which are added a full-page copperplate (p. 237) and around a hundred figures within the text, engraved on copper or wood, depicting mainly animals. Some copperplate engravings, such as the portrait of Charles II of Spain, are signed by Coenraet Decker. An incomplete copy, missing 5 plates (pp. 28, 38, 116, 122, 126). Foxing, sometimes pronounced, and a few browned leaves. A marginal tear with no loss on p. 57. A small tear, repaired in the margin of a plate on p. 226. Binding worn, upper box missing, joints split, corners worn, scuffing and small tears in the leather. Merrill, no. 26 – Caillet, II, no. 5768 – Dorbon, no. 2376 – Sommervogel, IV, 1046, no. 33 – Nissen, ZBI, no. 2195 – Brunet, III, 666. Appraised by: Librairie Giraud Badin, Paris.