Richard Saunders. Physiognomie, And Chiromancie, Metoposcopie, The Symmetrical Proportions And Signal Moles of the...

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Saunders on Physiognomy

"Richard Saunders (1613-1675), medical practitioner and astrologer, was widely read in his field, and appears to have been literate in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew... his first publication was an expensive and profusely illustrated folio entitled Physiognomie and Chiromancie, Metoposcopie (1653). This was his major work and brought him to the notice of the wealthy buyers of such books. In 1671 he put out a second, slightly enlarged, edition, again in folio, at a price of 10 shillings. Between 1663 and 1676 there were four editions of another work, entitled Palmistry, which was basically a cheaper pocket version of the 1653 folio, aimed at a wider market..." (Oxford DNB).

Wing S755. ESTC r10153. Kivatsy/NLM 17th 10281. Lowndes, 2192-2193. Sabattini 491. Thorndike, v4, pt.8, 462 ff.

Saunders, Richard. Physiognomie, And Chiromancie, Metoposcopie, The Symmetrical Proportions And Sgnal Moles of the Body.... London: H. Brugis, for Nathanial Brook, 1671. Folio. ¹3 (¹4'Peroratio' bound at end, as usual),a-b4,C2,B-Y4,X6, Z4,Aa-3E4 [3E4blank,present]. [26], 160,[2],155-156,161-377, [12]. 18th century calf, corners bumped, partially repaired, front hinge splitting. Portrait with repair to inner margin, no affect, old ink inscription on recto, partially inked out Ò...book bought the 31st day of July 1760...Ó 2F2 corner torn away, no affect to text. Clean tear to top of 2I1. Some foxing, few minor stains. Rare copy with portrait and two full page plates (usually found with no portrait and only one plate). Engraved portrait (rare), two plates and numerous woodcuts. Second edition. "Saunders work on moles was the apotheosis of this divinatory art..." - Seligmann p.256.
Saunders, Richard (1613-1675), medical practitioner and astrologer. He was widely read in his field, and appears to have been literate in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew... From at least 1650 until his death in 1675 he resided at the Three Cranes, Chancery Lane, and earned his living as a medical practitioner and astrologer. Although obscured by the huge reputation of William Lilly, Saunders was not an insignificant astrologer or physician, and was quite renowned in his day... his first publication was an expensive and profusely illustrated folio entitled Physiognomie and Chiromancie, Metoposcopie (1653). This was his major work and brought him to the notice of the wealthy buyers of such books. In 1671 he put out a second, slightly enlarged, edition, again in folio, at a price of 10 shillings. Between 1663 and 1676 there were four editions of another work, entitled Palmistry, which was basically a cheaper pocket version of the 1653 folio, aimed at a wider market... Saunders was a member of William Lilly's circle, and acted as physician to Lilly and Elias Ashmole. He was referred to explicitly in condemnations and praises of astrologers alongside the more familiar names of Wharton, Gadbury, Booker, and Culpeper. Lilly once referred to him as ÔPhilotheorosÕ. However, he seems to have been closest to Ashmole who, apart from being godfather to Richard's son Charles, also bought some of Saunders's books after he died. He stands out from the rest of Lilly's circle in that he seems to have been the only one to have published on physiognomy." [Oxford DNB] Wing S755. ESTC r10153. Kivatsy/NLM 17th 10281(impf.). Lowndes, 2192-3. Sabattini 491. Thorndike, v4, pt.8,462 ff. Occult. Physiognomy. Chiromancy, Palmestry.Metoposcopia. Medicine. Memory. Dreams. Moles.