1 / 10
an open book with a drawing of a man in a kitchenan old book with a drawing of people in a kitchena book with a picture of a man on ita drawing of a clock tower with a bird on top of itan old book with a drawing of a clock on itan old book sitting on top of a white table next to a white wallan old book with a picture of a coat of arms on itan open book with a drawing of a clock on ittwo pages of an old book with drawings on theman old book with a drawing of a machine on it
Premium Maître Paul PASTAUD

61 - HERON of Alexandria. *Gli Artifitiosi et Curiosi Moti Spirit…
See original version (French)

Estimate €1,000 - €1,500
Sale commission
Description
HERON of Alexandria. *Gli Artifitiosi et Curiosi Moti Spiritali di Herrone*. Translated by Mr Gio. Battista Aleotti of Argenta […] Ferrara, Vittorio Baldini, 1589. In-4 (205 x 148 mm), [12 (including frontispiece)]-103-[1] pp., complete with the four additional theorems by Aleotti, which begin on page 87 with a separate title included in the pagination. The illustrations consist of a fine wood-engraved frontispiece (browned, with extensive old water-stains), wood-engraved initials and ornaments, and 84 wood-engraved vignettes depicting scientific experiments. First edition of the Italian translation of Heron of Alexandria’s work, the famous ancient treatise on mechanics, renowned for its resolutely practical nature. The work brings together 76 ingenious experiments and devices utilising water, wine, oil or fire, each accompanied by clear explanations and detailed illustrations, including mechanisms for artificially imitating birdsong, several models of wine vessels, the construction of an oil lamp and that of a hydraulic organ. This translation is by Giovanni Battista Aleotti, a renowned engineer and architect, designer of numerous religious buildings, palaces and theatres in Ferrara and Parma, and the author of the four hydraulic theorems and the final experiment included as a supplement to this edition (“a method for raising a stream of water, whether flowing or stagnant, to the top of any high tower, a method already in use in many places, provided that the water, from its upper level, has a certain head’”). Bound together with the following work by the same author: *De gli automati, overo machine se moventi*, two books. Translated from the Greek by Bernardino Baldi, Abbot of Guastalla. Venice, Girolamo Porro, 1589. 48 pp. The illustration consists of a beautiful title page engraved on copper within an elegant architectural frame, and 22 figures engraved within the text (11 in intaglio and 11 on wood). First edition of the Italian translation by Bernardino Baldi (1553–1617, a pupil of the humanist and mathematician Federico Commandino (1509–1575)) of this rare and fascinating work devoted to machines and automata. A rare and valuable collection of the two treatises by the Greek mathematician Heron of Alexandria (1st century AD), known as the greatest engineer of antiquity and head of the Alexandrian School of Mechanics. Marbled sheepskin, decorated ribbed spine (pastiche binding). Ex-libris of Paul Chapuy, mining engineer.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale MONTIGNAC – 31st BOOK SALE – Day 1 of 4 – Nos. 1 to 549
Auction location
Auction time 08/19/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like