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ALDE

310 - PTOLÉMÉE (Claude). [Omnia quæ extant opera, Geographia excep…
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Estimate €2,000 - €3,000
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Description
PTOLÉMÉE (Claude). [Omnia quæ extant opera, Geographia excepta]. [Basel, Heinrich Petri, 1541]. In folio, ivory vellum, fawn title page, marbled edges (18th century binding). Important and rare edition of the Almagest and the complete works of Ptolemy - with the exception of the Geography -, published by Hieronymus Gemuseus (1505-1544) in the Latin translation of George of Trebizond (1396-1486). Written around 150, the Almagest compiles the knowledge of the time in mathematics and astronomy. It describes the movements of the planets, the moon and the sun according to a geometric theory; the universe was then conceived as geocentric. The work contains a catalogue of stars. This Basel edition is decorated with numerous figures in the text and two double-page wood-engraved plates representing the constellations of the northern and southern hemispheres, entitled Imagines constellationum borealium et australium. These two celestial maps by the Transylvanian humanist Johannes Honter (1498-1549) are extremely rare, as they have generally been removed from copies. Inspired by those of Dürer, they feature two important innovations: for the first time, the constellations are depicted as seen from the earth, and the stars are dressed in contemporary clothing. Copy incomplete of title and last leaves; some leaves uniformly foxed; wormholes on boards. Adams, P-2208 - Graesse, V, 498 - VD16 P5204 - Warner, Sky explored 123 1A/B - R. Satterley, "The Rediscovery of Two Celestial Maps from 1537", Imago Mundi, Vol. 62, n°1, 2010, pp. 86-91.
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About the sale Antiquarian books from the 15th to the 19th century - Astronomy
Auction location
Auction time 06/24/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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