Compendiosa introduttione alla prima parte della Specularia [Concise Introduction to the First Part of the Theory of Mirrors], with: Tavole della prima parte della specularia [Tables for the First Part of the Theory of Mirrors], by Rafael Mirami. Ferrara: Heredi di Francesco Rossi & Paolo Tortorino, [1582]. Italian. First edition. Two parts in one volume (separate title page for the second part).

Rare and early scientific work on the principles of optics and the phenomenon of light reflection in mirrors, by Rafael Mirami, a Jewish physician born in Ferrara (biographical details about him are preserved mainly in the present work, in which he describes himself as a "Jewish physicist and mathematician").

The book is illustrated with diagrams and figures, typographic ornaments, and decorated initials. Printer’s device (woodcut) on the title pages and colophon leaf. Old hand-drawn sketches appear on the front pastedown.

[6] leaves, 70 pages; [12] leaves. 20.5 cm. Good to fair condition. Stains and dampstains. Creases and wear. Tears and losses to margins of several leaves, professionally restored with paper. Bookplate. Inscriptions. Limp vellum binding, stained and damaged.