Durer, Albrecht (1471-1528.) HIERINN SIND BEGRIFFEN VIER BUCHER VON MENSCHLICHER PROPORTION. Nuremberg: Hieronymus Andreae Formschneider for the widow of Durer, October 31, 1528. Folio (11" x 7.35".) 132 leaves including 4 folding. Collates A-M6, N4, O6 (-O6), P-S6, T4, U-X6, Y6 (-Y6), Z6. With two leaves (O6 and Y6) being discarded as usual (these leaves were likely cancels used on the folding plates in those gatherings.) The work contains approximately 136 full-length proportional woodcuts. Rebound in an attractive 15th century vellum manuscript over boards, endpapers renewed with early paper, and housed in custom cloth case. The title verso contains an interesting sketch/portrait, also with some early manuscript notes in places, including some faded entries to final leaf. **************** FIRST EDITION OF DURER'S MONUMENTAL WORK ON PROPORTION AND THE FIRST USE of anthropometry in art. Durer's work was influenced by Leonardo da Vinci and Marcus Vitruvius, but Durer diverged from various thinkers by his belief that beauty may be found in the proportions of varying types of human forms and not solely (for example) in Vitruvius's "ideal" form. Durer sought to show beauty in differing human forms by providing a system of measurement to meet that end. As Durer states, “I hold that the perfection of form and beauty is contained in the sum of all men.” The present work is believed to have been the first of Durer's three major works to be completed, though it was the last to be published. ** From a private collection.

Title and final leaf soiled, title with old paper repair to lower blank portion, two of the folding leaves with smaller repairs to tears, and 4 other leaves with small marginal repairs; old water-stains to first and last gatherings and smaller old corner-stains throughout (lower corners); occasional marginal soiling; leaves a bit trimmed and occasionally shaving or removing an outer edge of a woodcut; early ink in limited places (mainly to title verso and final leaf verso.) Binding: vellum with light soiling. Typical signs of age and use but overall an attractive book.