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an old book with a brown cover sitting on a white surfacean old book with a drawing of a double headed eagle on itan open book with a drawing of a table on itan open book with a drawing of a plane on it
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Estimate €2,000 - €2,500
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Description
Astronomy Frisius, Gemma (Rainer) De Radio Astronomico & Geometrico liber. In which many things useful to geography, optics, geometry and astronomy are demonstrated. With a heraldic title woodcut, 21 text woodcuts (mostly large and some full-page), numerous floral and scroll-decorated initials, 6 of which are inhabited, a printer’s mark, all also in woodcut, and 8 tables. 64 leaves (Sign. A–Q4). Antwerp, Aegidius Diesthemius for Gregor de Bonte and Pieter Phalesius, 1545. Small 4°. 20th-century half-leather binding with gold-stamped title on an antique leather shield; covers lined with veined paste paper featuring a relief pattern, and speckled edging (slightly rubbed). First edition of this influential work on geometry as applied to optics, geography and astronomy. – Adams G 390 (different sig.) – Houzeau-Lancaster I, 2428. – Cf. Zinner, Astronomical Instruments, pp. 209 and 321. – This work by the polymath and instrument maker Gemma Rainer Frisius (1508–55) describes the construction of the Jacob’s staff, which the author improved, and its use in astronomical observations. Tycho Brahe used the instrument in his observations from 1564 onwards and mentions it in his *Astronomiae instauratae mechanica* (1598). “The modification of the cross-staff directly influenced navigation in the north during the 16th century (cf. Waters, *The Art of Navigation in England in Elizabethan and early Stuart Times*, p. 135.) – Features the first illustration of a camera obscura on fol. 31 verso. - The text block has been heavily trimmed, resulting in the partial or, in a few cases, complete loss of the chapter lines in the area of the headband across approximately 30 leaves, the last line of the title page, and, to a minor extent, the woodcut on fol. 31r along the outer margin. Title page with underlining; slight foxing in places along the margins. Astronomy. – First edition of the influential work on geometry applied to optics, geography and astronomy, richly illustrated with a heraldic title woodcut, 21 mostly large and partly full-page text woodcuts, numerous woodcut initials with floral decorations, 6 of which feature figures, a woodcut printer’s mark, as well as 8 tables. Bound in modern half-vellum with decorative endpapers on boards. - For references, see above. - This work by the polymath and instrument maker Gemma Rainer Frisius (1508–55) describes the construction of the cross-staff—which was improved by the author—and its use in astronomical observations. Tycho Brahe used the instrument in his observations from 1564 onwards and mentions it in his *Astronomiae instauratae mechanica* (1598). “The modification of the cross-staff directly influenced northern navigation in the 16th century (cf. Waters, *The Art of Navigation in England in Elizabethan and early Stuart Times*, p. 135). - Contains the first illustration of a camera obscura on fol. 31 verso. - The book block has been trimmed more heavily, resulting in the partial or, in a few cases, complete loss of the chapter lines near the top margin on approximately 30 leaves, the last line of the title page and, to a lesser extent, the woodcut on fol. 31r along the outer margin. Title page with underlining; slight foxing in places in the margins. Overall, a sound copy. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard margin scheme. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
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