Credit: © The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.6108
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    Title page of Micrographia

    Date
    1665
    Creator
    John Martyn (British) , Printer
    James Allestry (British) , Printer
    Object type
    Image reference
    Library reference
    RCN 45230
    Material
    Dimensions
    height (page): 390mm
    width (page): 305mm
    Subject
    Physics
       > Optics
          > Microscopy
    Biology
    Description
    Imprimatur and title page of Micrographia: or some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses with observations and inquiries thereupon, by Robert Hooke (London, 1665).

    The imprimatur [left page as viewed] identifies that the printing of the book was ordered by Council of the Royal Society and authorised by the then president, William Brouncker, 2nd Viscount Brouncker (1620–1684).

    The engraving on the lower-half of the title page [right] depicts the coat of arms of the Royal Society, which comprises a shield argent featuring the Three Lions of England, two white hounds gorged with crowns, a peer's helmet and an eagle holding a smaller shield. The society's motto, 'Nullius in verba', frames the bottom. The inscription below identifies the printers of the book, John Martyn and James Allestry, two early printers to the Royal Society.

    Robert Hooke (1635-1703) British natural philosopher was a founding member of the Royal Society, elected in 1663. Before his career with the Royal Society, Hooke had been apprenticed to painter Peter Lely (1618-1680), where he learned to draw and paint. Though he did not engrave the images in Micrographia himself they were engraved after his illustrations.

    Related fellows
    Robert Hooke (1635 - 1703, British) , Natural philosopher
    Associated place
    <The World>
       > Europe
          > United Kingdom
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