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Rare books

Title page from Robert Hooke's Micrographia

  • Part of Micrographia : or, Some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses. With observations and inquiries thereupon
  • 1665

Rights

No Copyright Public Domain

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The engraving on the lower-half of the title page depicts the coat of arms of the Royal Society, founded in November 1660 by royal charter of King Charles II. The coat of arms consists of a shield argent featuring the Three Lions of England supported by two white hounds gorged with crowns. A peer's helmet, believed to be a tribute to Lord Brouncker (a peer and the society's first President), sits on top of the shield. The helmet in turn is surmounted by a crown studded with florets and an eagle holding a shield once again depicting the Three Lions of England. The society's motto, "Nullius in verba" (Latin for "on the word of no one" or "take nobody's word for it") frames the bottom. Notably, the motto was adopted to signify the determination of the society's fellows to establish facts via scientific experiments.

Property Value
Author
  • Hooke, Robert, 1635-1703
Printer
  • Allestry, J.
  • Martyn, J.
Place of publication
  • England--London
Format
  • Image
  • Text
Genre
  • Rare books
Extent
  • 31 cm H
Language
  • English
Subject
  • Heraldry
  • Microscopy
  • Royal Society (Great Britain)
  • Title pages
Rights Public Domain Mark 1.0
Credit line
  • Courtesy of Science History Institute

Physical location

Department
  • Library
Collection
  • Roy G. Neville Historical Chemical Library
View in library catalog

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Cite as

Hooke, Robert. “Title Page from Robert Hooke's Micrographia.” In Micrographia : or, Some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies Made by Magnifying Glasses. With Observations and Inquiries Thereupon. London, England: J. Allestry, 1665. https://digital.sciencehistory.org/works/t722h981f.

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Title page from Robert Hooke's Micrographia

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Rights

No Copyright Public Domain

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The Science History Institute recognizes there are materials in our collections that may be offensive or harmful, containing racist, sexist, Eurocentric, ableist, or homophobic language or depictions. The history of science is not exempt from beliefs or practices harmful to traditionally marginalized groups. The Institute is engaged in ongoing efforts to responsibly present and address the evidence of oppression and injustice inextricable from the history of science. If you would like to learn more about our ongoing efforts or if you encounter harmful, inaccurate, or insufficient descriptions, please contact us at digital@sciencehistory.org.

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