Rare first edition of the translation of the famous work by Italian humanist Polydore Virgil (ca.1470-1555, commonly Latinized as Polydorus Vergilius). He was born in Urbino but spent most of his life in early Tudor England. His most popular work, De inventoribus rerum (The invention of things; 1499), here in its original translation into Dutch, was the first comprehensive account of discoveries and inventions written since antiquity. A re-print appeared in 1663 (Amsterdam, Baltus de Wild for Arent van den Heuvel, 1663. 12mo). Thirty Latin editions of this work were published in Polydore's lifetime, and by the eighteenth century more than a hundred editions had appeared in eight languages.
The work became a key reference for anyone who wanted to know about "firsts" in theology, philosophy, science, technology, literature, language, law, material culture, and other fields. Polydore took his information from dozens of Greek, Roman, biblical, and Patristic authorities. It covers natural history and technology with detailed descriptions of the invention of printing and paper, the origin of the Olympic games, architecture, and theatre. His main point was to show that many Greek and Roman claims for discovery were false and that ancient Jews or other Asian peoples were the true originators. Book I investigates the origin of the gods and the word "God", along with such matters as the creation, marriage, religion, and learning. Book II covers, among other topics, the origins of law, time, military science, money, precious metals, and art. Book III covered, again among other topics, the origins of agriculture, architecture, towns, theatres, tools and materials, maritime navigation, commerce, and prostitution.
With the bookplate of L.G. de Wijs mounted on the front pastedown, and the stamps of the "Gemeente Archief, Tilburg" and the "Bibliotheek van de Ned. Ver. Der theosophische Veneeniging" on the title page and page 3. The boards have been rubbed, with some loss of material, missing a portion of the title label. The work is somewhat browned throughout, the head margin has been cut somewhat short, without loss of text, the upper outer corner of leaf X5 has been reinforced. Otherwise in good condition. Contemp. of Erasmus, 3, pp. 397-399; Muller 403; Scheepers I, 573 (1663 ed. only); STCN 079236782 (3 complete copies); USTC 1012439 (4 copies).