Catoptrum microcosmicum (“microcosmic mirror”) was the most extensive anatomy book with overlapping flaps of its time. It refers to the classical notion of the human body being a microcosm or representation of the universe in miniature. Having a series of overlapping flaps helped convey the dimensionality of the body, with some areas containing 15 layers. It was originally published in Latin in 1613 without Remmelin’s approval and later published in 1619 with Remmelin’s approval along with accompanying text. It was intended more for the curious layperson rather than for teaching due to its delicate construction, great expense, and unwieldy size. It was reprinted numerous times in the 17th and 18th centuries in Dutch, French, English, Latin, and German.

 

Remmelin was a town physician in Ulm and later a plague doctor in Augsburg. The engravings were based on Remmelin’s own drawings and rendered into engravings by Lucas Kilian. The works were printed on eight separate plates then cut and combined to make three.

 

This particular copy is notable for its blue boards binding, which is likely original. The University of Iowa’s Hardin Library also has a first edition copy with a parchment binding recycled from what was likely a 15th century incunabulum.

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