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Science & Technology / Astronomy & Mathematics

The work that spread Ptolemy's ideas in Europe

AL-FARGHANI, Ahmad ibn Mohammad ibn Kathir and Jacob CHRISTMANN (translator). Chronologica et astronomica elementa, e Palatinae bibliothecae veteribus libris versa, expleta, & scholiis expolita.
Frankfurt, Andreas Wechel (heirs of), Claude de Marne, and Johann Aubry, 1590. 8vo. With a woodcut vignette on the title page and the final leaf, a woodcut decorated initial, and a woodcut head- and tailpiece. Near contemporary overlapping vellum with the manuscript title on the spine, remnants of ties, red edges. [1], [1 blank], [12], [2 blank], 565, [1], [1 blank], [1] pp. Full description
€ 17,500
Astronomy & Cosmography Early Printing - 16th century
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A dissertation from Manilla's Jesuit University on practical mathematics for the military

ARAYA, Fernando de. Conclusiones mathematicas, practicas, y especulativas defendidas en el principio del segundo año ...
Manila, Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay, 1758. 4to. With engraved frontispiece equestrian portrait of Ferdinand VI, King of Spain and Emperor of the Indies. Contemporary salmon-coloured silk over flexible boards, preserved in modern portfolio. [4], 4 ll. Full description
€ 8,750
Mathematics Military History (18th Century) Philippines School & Textbooks Southeast Asia
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Rare study describing a 622 AH (1225/26 CE) celestial globe with Cufic lettering, with 3 folding plates

ASSEMANI, Simone. Globus caelestis Cufico-Arabicus Veliterni Musei Borgiani ... illustratus. Praemissa ejusdem De Arabum astronomia dissertatione et adjectis duabus epistolis Cl. Josephi Toaldi.
Padua, Seminary printing office, 1790. Small folio (21.5 x 29.5 cm). With 3 large folding engraved plates. Contemporary green half calf, gold-tooled spine, marbled sides. [16], CCXIX, [9] pp. Full description
€ 28,000
Astronomy & Cosmography Atlases & Globes
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Important history of ancient astronomy, with chapters on Egyptian, Chaldean and Persian astronomy

BAILLY, Jean-Sylvain. Histoire de l'astronomie ancienne, depuis son origine jusqu'a l'établissement de l'École d'Alexandrie.
Paris, Debure brothers, 1775. 4to. With 3 numbered folding engraved plates. Beautifully bound in contemporary gold-tooled red morocco, each board with coat of arms of Simon-Pierre Merard de Saint-Just in the centre, marbled endpapers. In modern slipcase covered with marbled paper. [2], XXII, 526 pp. Full description
€ 25,000
Astronomy & Cosmography Bindings France Islamic Art, Culture & Science
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Mathematical problems of fortification

BECKER (VON HERVORD), Peter. Nieuwe manier van vestingbou, hoe men alle regulare en irregulare vestingen met hare buytenwerken na haer behoorlijke proportie, sonder eenige rekeninge, door den gemeenen cirkel op een nieuwe en gansch lichte manier tekenen, afsteken en opbouwen sal. Van nieuws van den autheur selve, met het offensive en defensive vermeerdert, en door de tabulae sinuum uytgerekent, en met nodige demonstratien en figuren allen liefhebbers deser kunst verrijkt.
Amsterdam, Johannes Janssonius van Waesberge I, 1673. 8vo. With an engraved allegorical title-page, a letterpress title-page, 7 engraved plates (5 folding), 3 engraved illustrations in the text and 3 folding tables. Contemporary vellum. [16], 146 pp. Full description
€ 3,500
Architecture Fortification & Military Architecture Military History (17th Century) Technology
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"Making an end" to the superstitious belief in the devil and the apocalyptical meaning of comets:
two controversial works by Balthasar Bekker

BEKKER, Balthasar. De betoverde weereld, zynde een grondig ondersoek van 't gemeen gevoelen aangaande de geesten, derselver aart en vermogen, bewind en bedryf: als ook 't gene de menschen door derselver kraght en gemeenschap doen. In vier boeken ondernomen.Amsterdam, Daniel van den Dalen, 1691-1693. With the woodcut printer's device of Daniel van den Dalen on the title-page of each book (part) and a full-page woodcut of the Oldenburg Horn.
With: (2) BEKKER, Balthasar. Ondersoek van de betekeninge der kometen, by gelegenheid van de gene die in de jaren 1680. 1681. en 1682. geschenen hebben.Including: Berigt aangaande 't uitvinden der lengte van Oost en West, voorgegeven van Liewe Willems Graaf.
Amsterdam, Jan ten Hoorn, 1692. 4to. 2 works in 1 volume, the first work in 4 parts. With a woodcut on the title-page, depicting a group of people doing astronomical research.2 works in 1 volume, the first work in 4 parts. 4to. Contemporary calf, blind-ruled frames on the boards. [18], 138, [2]; [8], 262, [2]; [8], 188, [4]; [6], 277, [3]; [8], 102, [18] pp. Full description
€ 2,500
Alchemy Astrology & Occult Astronomy & Cosmography Church History & Missions Science
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Important work on the calculation of volumes

BEYER, Johann Hartmann. Ein newe und schöne Art der vollkommenen Visierkunst: derengleichen hiebevor niemaln in keiner Spraach gesehen worden ...
Frankfurt am Main, printed by Palthenius for Jonas Rosa, 1603. 4to. With numerous tables and several woodcut diagrams and figures in text. Modern overlapping vellum. [12], 68, 191 [1 blank], [38] pp. Full description
€ 7,500
Mathematics
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Anticipating Halley on the periodicity of comets and excellent engraved patterns for constructing sundials

BIANCANI, Giuseppe. Sphaera mundi, seu cosmographia demonstrativa, ac facili methodo tradita: in qua totius mundi fabrica, una cum novis, Tychonis, Kepleri, Galilaei, aliorumq[ue] astronomorum adinventis continetur.
Modena, Andrea & Girolamo Cassiani, 1653. With a large folding diagram, a woodcut diagram on an inserted half-page slip, numerous woodcut diagrams and other illustrations in text, letterpress tables.
With: (2) BIANCANI, Giuseppe. Constructio instrumenti ad horologia solaria describenda peropportuni. ... Opus posthumum.
Modena, Andrea Cassiani, 1654. With a woodcut astronomical dial on the title-page, 18 numbered engraved figures printed from 12 copper plates and a large folding letterpress table. 2 works in 1 volume. Folio. Contemporary sheepskin parchment, rebacked. [6], 232; 24, [5] pp. Full description
€ 8,500
Astronomy & Cosmography Instruments & Microscopy Technology
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First edition of the most comprehensive work on integral calculus of its day, with 4 folding plates

CARRÉ, Louis. Methode pour la mesure des surfaces, la dimension des solides, leurs centres de pesanteur, de percussion et d'oscillation, par l'application du calcul intégral.
Paris, Jean Boudot, 1700. 4to. With a large woodcut vignette (by Bernard Picart) on the title-page, 4 folding numbered engraved plates containing 43 numbered diagrams, an engraved headpiece and initial at the opening of the main text. Contemporary sprinkled calf, gold-tooled spine. [12], 115, [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 4,000
Mathematics
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Includes excellent logarithmic-trigonometric tables

CAVALIERI, Bonaventura Francesco. Trigonometria plana, et sphaerica, linearis, & logarithmica. Hoc est, tam per sinuum, tangentium, & secantium multiplicationem, ac divisionem iuxta veteres: quam per logarithmorum simplicem fere additionem iuxta recentiores; ad triangulorum dimetiendos angulos, & latera procedens.
Bologna, heirs of Victor Benati, 1643. 4to. With engraved frontispiece and 28 geometrical figures on a folding engraved plate. Contemporary vellum, with manuscript title on spine. [16], 71, [1 blank]; [4], 44, [4] ll. (tables) Full description
€ 2,500
Italy Mathematics
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First edition of an important mathematical treatise

CEULEN, Ludolf van. De arithmetische en geometrische fondamenten.
Leiden, Joost van Colster and Jacob Marcus (colophon: printed by Ulderick Cornelisz. Honthorst and Joris Abramsz.), 1615. Folio. With engraved portrait of Van Ceulen on the title-page, and numerous woodcut geometrical figures in the text. Contemporary vellum, remains of ties. [4], 271, [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 6,500
Mathematics
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Important mathematical treatise by a fencing master, rare complete copy of the issue for the Dutch Republic

CEULEN, Ludolf van. Fundamemta[!] arithmetica et geometrica cum eorundem usu. In varii problematis, geometricis, partim solo linearum, ductu, partim per numeros irrationales, & tabulas sinuum, & algebram solutis.
Including: CEULEN, Ludolf van. Variorum problematum libri 4. ...
Leiden, Joost van Colster [printed at least in part by Joris Abrahamsz. van der Marsce], 1615. 4to. With numerous woodcut diagrams and other mathematical figures in text. Contemporary vellum. [4], "269" [= 271], [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 5,500
Mathematics
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German translation of Euclid's "Elements"

EUCLID and Lucas BRUNN (translator). Elementa practica. Oder Ausszug aller Problematum und Handarbeiten auss den 15. Büchern Euclidis. Allen und jeden, des uhralten geometrischen nutzlichen Gebrauch, dess Cirkels Liebhabern ...
Nürnberg, Simon Halbmayer, [1625]. 4to. With the title set in an engraved border, and numerous woodcut mathematical figures in text. Contemporary limp vellum. [8], 92 pp. Full description
€ 3,500
Classical Antiquity Mathematics
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Early bogus claim to have squared the circle, with the circle’s views on the matter

FALCO, Jacobus (Jaime Juan FALCÓ y SEGURA). Hanc circuli quadraturam invenit.
Antwerp, Petrus Bellerus (Peter Belaert), 1591. Small 4to (19.5 x 14 cm). With a woodcut of Euclid (or possibly Archimedes) with an enormous pair of dividers in his right hand and a book in his left, and between the two legs of the dividers a sceptre passing through a crown, and 29 woodcut diagrams. 20th-century half calf. 29, [1] pp. Full description
€ 2,950
Early Printing - 16th century Mathematics
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Engraved portrait of the important mathematician Johann Faulhaber

[FAULHABER, Johann]. Aigendtliche Bildnuß deß Ehrnvösten und weitberühmbten Herren Johannis Faulhabern, bestelten Mathematici inn Ulm seines Alters fünff und dreyssig Jar.
Augsburg, printed by David Francken for Steffan Müchelspacher, 1615. Folio (28.5 x 15 cm). Engraved portrait (plate size 12.5 x 10 cm), drawn from life and engraved by Lucas Kilian in Augsburg, with letterpress drop-title and a list of Faulhaber's printed works, within a frame built up of arabesque fleurons. Set in fraktur types with incidental schwabacher. [1] leaf. Full description
€ 1,500
Mathematics
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"Few books had greater influence on the subsequent teaching of elementary mathematics"

FELICIANO, Francesco. Libro di arithmetica & geometria speculativa & praticale ... intitulato Scala Grimaldelli: novamente stampato
(Colophon: Venice, Francesco de Leno), 1563. 4to. With the title in a 5-piece woodcut border with an allusive woodcut illustration (ladder and key), and with numerous woodcut diagrams, geometric figures and other illustrations printed in the large fore-edge margin. Contemporary sheepskin parchment. [80] ll. Full description
€ 2,750
Early Printing - 16th century Italy Mathematics School & Textbooks
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Accurately revised, corrected, and enlarged edition of Flamsteed's celestial atlas,
the first celestial atlas since Tycho Brahe and Hevelius

FLAMSTEED, John and Jean FORTIN (editor). Atlas céleste de Flamstéed ...
Paris, Le citoyen Lamarche, successeur de Robert de Vaugondy & J. Fortin, "L'an IIIe de la République Françoise" [= 1795]. Small 4to. With beautifully designed engraved maps of the celestial globe, including all astronomical constellations, on 30 double-page plates, versos blank, including 2 maps of the celestial hemispheres, and 2 maps of the celestial planisphere, one after a design by Abbé de La Caille with the plans of the southern constellations, all maps engraved by C. E. Voisard after Flamsteed, and the text written on the maps by Beaublé. With the title and text set within a simple woodcut frame. Contemporary half calf, black morocco title label lettered in gold on the spine, brown sprinkled paper sides, marbled edges. IX, [1] pp.; 30 double-page engraved plates; 47, [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 5,000
Astronomy & Cosmography Atlases & Globes
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Rare Swedish scientific dissertation on the making of nautical charts and their use

FRIBERG, Olavus and Olavus HERWECH. Q.B.V. Dissertatio academica, de constructione et usu mapparum hydrographicarum, quam consentiente ampliss. senatu philosoph. in regia academia Upsaliensi, publico eruditorum examini modeste submittunt auctor Olavus Friberg et respondens Olavus Herwech. ad. fil. Vermelandi, In auditorio Carolino Marjori die III. Maji Anno MDCCXLIV.
Uppsala, 1744. 4to. With 4 woodcut geometrical illustrations in the text, a large woodcut headpiece (with the words "constantia coronatur" in it) and one large woodcut decorated initial. Modern stiff (marbled?) paper boards with the title in gold on the spine. 16 pp. Full description
€ 750
Charts & Maps Mathematics Navigation School & Textbooks
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First and only edition of an important manual on the construction of telescopes and microscopes:
the first work by one of Eulers most important students, printed in St. Petersburg

FUSS, Nicolas. Instruction détaillée pour porter les lunettes de toutes les différentes especes au plus haut degré de perfection dont elles sont susceptibles tirée de la théorie dioptrique de Mr. Euler le pere et mise a la portée de tous les ouvriers en ce genre. Avec la description dún microscope qui peut passer pour le plus parfait dans son espèce et qui est propre à produire tous les grossissemens qu'on voudra.
St. Petersburg, Académie Imp. des Sciences, 1774. 4to. With 2 folding engraved plates. Contemporary Russian mottled calf, richly gold-tooled spine. Rebacked (ca. 1810?). [10], 83, [1 blank] pp. plus plates. Full description
€ 7,500
Eastern Europe Instruments & Microscopy Mathematics Optics & Perspective Russia (incl. Siberia) Technology
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Richly illustrated 16th-century atlas on celestial and terrestrial physics and their influence on medicine

GALLUCCI, Giovanni Paolo. Theatrum mundi, et temporis in quo non solum precipuae horum partes describuntur, & ratio metiendi eas traditur, sed accomodatissimis figuris sub oculos legentium facile ponuntur.
Venice, Giovanni Battista Somasco, 1588. 4to. With Somasco's Sagittarius device on the title-page, 144 full-page woodcuts (particularly circular diagrams, dials and figures of the constellations, but also hemispherical and terrestrial maps and other cosmographical and astronomical figures), 1 large folding table ("Canon sexagenarius"), several full-page or smaller tables in the text and woodcut head- and tailpieces and initials. Lacking the moving volvelles. Contemporary overlapping vellum, manuscript title (faded) on spine. [16], 478, [2] pp. Full description
€ 6,000
Astronomy & Cosmography Early Printing - 16th century Medicine & Pharmacy (16th Century)
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Well-illustrated encyclopaedia of astronomical and surveying instruments from the time of Galileo,
with a world map in two hemispheres, and 3 volvelles

GALLUCCI, Giovanni Paolo. Della fabrica et uso di diversi stromenti di astronomia, et cosmografia, ove si vede la somma della teorica, et pratica di queste due nobilissime scienze.
Venice, Roberto Meietti, 1598. 4to (22 x 16.5 cm). With engraved title-page, folding woodcut plate, 3 woodcut volvelles with moving parts, and numerous woodcut illustrations in text. Including a world map in two hemispheres (incl. America and a scattering of islands at the location of Australia) on two facing pages, they reappear with volvelle attachments on both sides of leaf 149 and leaf 153. Contemporary limp sheepskin parchment. [8], 228 ll. Full description
€ 35,000
Astronomy & Cosmography Charts & Maps Early Printing - 16th century Instruments & Microscopy Navigation Technology
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Scarce work on comets by Galileo's successor, prompted by the spectacular comet of 1618

GLORIOSO, Giovanni Camillo. De cometis dissertatio astronomico-physica publice habita in gymnasio Patavino anno domini MDCXIX.
Venice, Giovanni & Variscvo Varisco, 1624. 4to. With numerous woodcut illustrations in the text (mostly diagrams). Contemporary limp sheepskin parchment. [8], "288" [= 290], [2] pp. Full description
€ 22,000
Astronomy & Cosmography Mathematics
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A rare, very important work on the scientific side of nautical navigation, by a leading 17th-century Dutch mathematician

GRAAF, Abraham de. De seven boecken van de groote zeevaert, zijnde een volkomen klare, en konstige beschrijvinghe der navigatie.
Amsterdam, Pieter Goos, 1658. 7 parts in 1 volume. Folio. With a half-page engraving on the half-title, a woodcut vignette on the title-page, 6 folding engraved tables and numerous woodcut mathematical diagrams, figures, tables and other illustrations in the text. With woodcut tailpieces and woodcut decorated initials. Contemporary vellum with a manuscript title on the spine. [1], [1 blank], [8], 39, [1 blank]; [2], 4, [45], [1 blank], [90], 5-91, [1 blank]; 96; 86, [2 blank]; 39, [1 blank]; 60, 18, [2 blank]; 96, [7], [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 8,500
Mathematics Navigation
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Extremely rare collection of three treatises on scienfic instruments by Levinus Hulsius

HULSIUS, Levinus. Tractatus primus instrumentorum mechanicorum ...
Frankfurt am Main, Wolfgang Richter for the author, 1605.
With:
(2) IDEM. Tractatus secundus. Instrumentorum mechanicorum. Quo dilucide exponitur usus baculi...
Frankfurt am Main, Wolfgang Richter for the author, 1605.
(3) IDEM. Tractatus tertius. Instrumentorum mechanicorum. Quo traditur descriptio atque usus circine proportionalis Iusti Burgi ...
Frankfurt am Main, Wolfgang Richter for the author, 1605.
3 works in 1 volume. Small 4to. Ad 1: with a large engraving on the title-page, 14 engraved plates (including 2 folding), 40 numbered illustrations in the text (35 woodcuts and 5 engravings). Further with 2 woodcut decorated initials, 2 woodcut head-pieces, and 1 large woodcut tail-piece. Ad 2: with a large engraving on the title-page, 8 illustrations in text (7 woodcuts and 1 engraving). Further with 1 woodcut decorated initial and 1 woodcut head-piece. Ad 3: with a large engraving on the title-page. Further with 2 woodcut decorated initials and 2 woodcut head-pieces. Contemporary limp vellum with 2 sets of leather closing ties. [1], [1 blank], [6], 121, [1], [2 blank]; "16" [= 17], [3 blank]; 29, [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 9,500
Instruments & Microscopy Mathematics Military History (17th Century) Optics & Perspective
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How to teach arithmetic according to the 19th-century educational system of mutual tuition

[JOMARD, Edmé François]. Arithmétique élémentaire ou tableaux d'arithmétique composés selon les principes et assujetis aux procédés de l'enseignement mutuel; par M. Jomard, secrétaire de la Societé pour l'enseignement élémentaire.
[France?, ca. 1822]. Small folio (ca. 29.5 x 19 cm). With 6 folding text leaves. Contemporary quarter vellum. [1], 88, [1 blank] ll. Full description
€ 5,000
Education & Pedagogy France Manuscripts & Documents Mathematics
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Best and only folio edition of an encyclopedic work of eccentric genius on magnetism

KIRCHER, Athanasius. Magnes sive de arte magnetica opus tripartitum quo universa magnetis natura, eiusque in omnibus scientiis & artibus usus, nova methodo explicatur: ...
Rome, Biagio Diversin and Zanobio Masotti (printed by Vitale Mascardi), 1654. Folio. With engraved frontispiece by F. Valentius, letterpress title-page printed in red and black with engraved double publisher's device, full-page engraved plate with the portrait of Emperor Ferdinand IV, 34 mostly full-page engraved illustrations, 215 woodcut illustrations and about 50 letterpress tables. Contemporary overlapping vellum. [32], 618, [28] pp. Full description
€ 17,500
Astronomy & Cosmography Medicine & Pharmacy (17th Century) Navigation Optics & Perspective Physics & Chemistry
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First edition of an incredibly rare 18th-century mathematical work

KNOOP, Johann Hermann. Eerste pylaar der algemene mathesis of wis-kunde, of de arithmetica ...
Leeuwarden, Abraham Ferwerda, 1758. 2 parts in 1 volume. 8vo. With an engraved folding plate after the last page, a small woodcut vignette on the title-page, a woodcut headpiece at the start of the work, two decorated woodcut initials, and numerous mathematical figures in the text. The title-page is printed in red and black, the work includes a divisional title-page for part 2. Contemporary(?) gold-tooled half brown calf, with remnants of a dark brown morocco title-label on the spine, brown sprinkled paper sides. [16], 498; [2], 503-976 [= 473] pp. Full description
€ 1,950
Mathematics Netherlands School & Textbooks
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Lansberge's famous astronomical tables, used to correctly predict the Transit of Venus in 1639

LANSBERGE, Johan Philip. Tabulae motuum coelestium perpetuae ...
Middelburg, Zacharias Roman (colophon: Leiden, Willem Christiaens van der Boxe), 1632. 3 parts in 1 volume. Folio. With an engraved title page, an engraved full-page portrait of the author, a divisional title page for the tables with a small woodcut figure representing the solar system as a vignette, a folding letterpress table (all within collation). Further with numerous figures and tables in the text, several woodcut decorated initials, and woodcut head- and tail-pieces. Contemporary overlapping vellum. 79, [1 blank]; 180, [1 folding leaf]; 186, [5], [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 6,500
Astronomy & Cosmography Mathematics Netherlands Science
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17th-century engraved book on mathematics & fortification

LUDERS, Theodoric. Traicté mathematique contenant les principales definitions, problemes et theoremes d'Euclide. l'Arithmetique decimale. . . . La fortification Hollandoise. Francoise. Italienne. Et Espagnolle.
Paris, [Jean Jombert], 1680. With engraved title-page, engraved table, and 34 numbered engraved plates (11 double-page).
With: (2) LUDERS, Theodoric. Traité d'arithmetique contenant les reigles necessaires aux marchands, banquiers, changeurs, &. financiers: . . .
Paris, [Jean Jombert], 1680. 2 works in 1 volume. Large folio (50×34.5 cm). Contemporary mottled calf, richly gold-tooled spine (rebacked with original backstrip laid down). Full description
€ 9,500
Astronomy & Cosmography Economic History & Trade Fortification & Military Architecture Mathematics Military History (17th Century) Optics & Perspective
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Manuscript astronomical manual on the motions of the heavens

[MANUSCRIPT - ASTRONOMY]. Plain astronomy. Manuscript volume of notes on practical astronomy and mathematics.
[England?, ca. 1777/1781?]. 4to. Manuscript volume of notes on practical astronomy and mathematics in English, written in ink on Dutch paper with a Maid of Dordrecht watermark without countermark. The leaves are numbered from the front, 101 and 26 leaves of text and diagrams, 39 blank leaves in the middle, last 26 leaves in reverse order, illustrated with several astronomical and mathematical diagrams, including one of a solar system. Late 18th-century half calf, marbled sides. 101, 26, [39 blank], 26 ll. Full description
€ 4,750
Astronomy & Cosmography Manuscripts & Documents Mathematics
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Manuscript on the motion of the sun and stars, from the Bibliotheca Phillippica

[MANUSCRIPT - MEDIEVAL TIMEKEEPING]. Calculus temporum ecclesiasticus.
[Possibly England, ca. 1360]. Small 4to (15.5 x 22.5 cm). Latin manuscript on paper. Brown ink in an early bastarda hand, the final three leaves in a slightly later (still quite contemporary) hand. 19th-century paper wrappers, with the manuscript title on the front wrapper. 30 ll. Full description
€ 95,000
Astronomy & Cosmography Manuscripts & Documents Medieval Manuscripts
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If all the gunpowder in the world were put in a globe of glass or paper
and set on fire all at once, what would happen?

MYDORGE, Claude. Examen du livre des recreations mathematiques.
Rouen, Charles Osmont, 1643, 8vo. With numerous woodcut illustrations illustrating the problems. Contemporary limp vellum. [1], [1 blank], [5], [1 blank], [7], [1 blank], 280, 63, [1 blank], [1], [1 blank], [2], 67-106, [43], [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 1,400
Ceremonial Festivities & Fireworks Magic & Conjuring Mathematics Optics & Perspective Physics & Chemistry
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Learn how to count with the bible

NEEFF, Adriaan de. Cijffer-boeck der heylige schrift. Over de gelden, gewigten, ende maten der Hebreen arithmetisch gereduceerd op gelden, gewigten ende maten onsen lande en tijdt gebruykelijck.
Middelburgh, Gijsbertus Noorman, 1682. Small 8vo. 2 parts in 1 volume. With woodcut vignette on 2 titles, and at the end of the second work, showing identical blank escutcheons. Contemporary vellum. [14], 63, [1 blank]; [4], 75, [5] pp. Full description
€ 1,700
Bibles, Liturgy & Devotional Works Mathematics School & Textbooks
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First edition of two of the most important works on twilight and optics

NUNES, Pedro. De crepusculis liber unus, nu[n]c rece[n]s & natus et editus.Including: [Abu 'Abd Allah Muhammad ibn MU'ADH] (mis-attributed to Ibn AL-HAYTHAM). De causis crepusculorum liber unus, à Gerardo Cremonensi iam olim Latinita te donatus, nunc vero omniu[m] primum in lucem editus.
(Colophon: Lisbon, Ludovicus Rodericus, January 1542). 4to. With woodcut architectural title-page with an arch containing putti and mythological figures (including 2 winged female fauns holding drapery, with the Royal Portuguese coat of arms at the foot and an armillary sphere at the head, 40 woodcut diagrams concerning astronomy, spherical geometry, optics and geodessy in the text, Rodericus's spectacular full-page emblematic woodcut device (a dragon with the motto "salus vitae" on a banderole), numerous woodcut initials (several series), and a vine-leaf ornament (a variant of Vervliet 94?). Set mostly in the first successful italic type to have sloped capitals, cut by Peter Schoeffer the younger, but with extensive passages in roman. Bound in a period-style Italian calf binding, gold-tooled spine, each board with a blind-tooled frame and a gold-tooled centrepiece, with "Petri Nonii" on the front and "MDXLII" on the back. [73], [1 blank] ll. Full description
€ 75,000
Astronomy & Cosmography Early Printing - 16th century Mathematics Optics & Perspective UAE - United Arab Emirates
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Rare work about star velocity by one of the most important astronomers of the 20th century

OORT, Jan Hendrik. The stars of high velocity. Proefschrift ter verkrijging van den graad van doctor in de wis- en natuurkunde aan de Rijks-Universiteit te Groningen...
Groningen, Gebroeders Hoitsema, 1926. Folio. With 12 figures, illustrating star velocity, and 30 tables (only 27 are numbered). Original grey paper wrappers, with the title and name of the author printed on the front wrapper and the spine, in a protective semi-opaque coated paper dust jacket. [8], 75, [1], [1 slip-in leaf with theses] pp. Full description
€ 950
Astronomy & Cosmography Education & Pedagogy Netherlands Science
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Best edition of a copiously illustrated work on mathematical recreations

OZANAM, Jacques. Récréations mathématiques et physiques, qui contiennent plusieurs problèmes d'arithmétique, de géométrie, de musique, d'optique, de gnomonique, de cosmographie, de mécanique, de pyrotechnie, & de physique. Avec un traité des horloges élémentaires.
Paris, Jacques Rollin, 1750 (vol. 2: 1749). 4 volumes. 8vo. With 136 engraved plates (9 folding, 127 full-page), numerous woodcut diagrams and printed tables in the text. Contemporary mottled calf. [16], 460, [20]; [4], 462, [14]; [2], 482, [12]; [8], 446, [5] pp. Full description
€ 2,950
Ceremonial Festivities & Fireworks Mathematics Music, Theatre & Dance Optics & Perspective Physics & Chemistry
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German edition of one of the earliest works on perspective and optics, with 44 new geometric and perspective woodcuts

PECKHAM, John and Georg HARTMANN. Perspectiva communis. Ideo sic dicta, quod contineat elementa tès optigès, omnibus philosophiae studiosis necessaria.
Nürnberg, Johan Petreius, 1542. Small 4to (18 x 15 cm). With 44 woodcut diagrams in text. Modern boards. [55] ll. Full description
€ 9,000
Early Printing - 16th century Mathematics Optics & Perspective
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2 mathematical essays by Giovanni Plana, presentation copy

PLANA, Giovanni Antonio A. [Drop title]: Équation de la courbe formée par une lame élastique, quelles que soient les forces qui agissent sur la lame.
Including: Mémoire sur l'intégration des équations linéaires aux differences partielles du second et du troisième ordre.
[Turin, Félix Galetti, 1811?]. 4to. With folding engraved plate by Amati & Tela. Contemporary wrappers. 56 pp. Full description
€ 3,500
Mathematics
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Pliny's “Historia naturalis”, edited by Caesarius, friend of Erasmus

PLINIUS SECUNDUS, Gaius. Naturalis historiae opus ...
(Colophon: Cologne, Eucharius Cervicornus, 1524.) Folio. With both title-page and part-title in a decorated woodcut border in four pieces. Calf (ca. 1700?), with gold-tooled spine; rebacked with original backstrip laid down. [16], 311, [60] ll. Full description
€ 22,500
Arabian Peninsula & Gulf States Astronomy & Cosmography Faunas & General Zoology Geology Greek & Roman Classics Herbals & Medical Botany Mineralogy & Gems
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Practical and theoretical manual of Euclidean geometry with visual instructions in 51 plates

POMODORO, Giovanni & Giovanni SCALA. La geometria prattica. Cavata da gl'elementi d'Euclide e d'altri famosi autori, con l'esposizione di Giovanni Scala famoso matematico ridotta in cinquanta tavole scolpite in rame dalle quali con facilita si possono apprendere tutte le cose, che al buon geometra appartengono.
Rome, (colophon: printed by Andrea Fei, 1623, for) Gio. Angelo Ruffinelli, 1624. Folio. With title within engraved architectural border and 51 full-page engraved illustrations, the first 44 (number 1-44) after designs by Pomodoro and the last 7 plates (numbered 1-7) by Scala, colophon with large woodcut printer's device of Andrea Fei. Contemporary limp sheepskin parchment. [57], [1 blank] ll. Full description
€ 4,000
Classical Antiquity Mathematics
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Extensively illustrated manuscript course of practical geometry with more than 350 figures, including perspective, projections, architecture, cartography & sundials

[MANUSCRIPT]. PRÉVOST, M. Cours de géométrie pratique professé par M. Prevost et suivi par C.F. Frenet. Comprenant 1o. La géométrie élémentaire avec ses applications au toisé, au cubage, géodésie, etc. 2o. La géométrie descriptive avec ses applications à la perspective, à la coupe des pierres etc.
[Lyon?, ca. 1825?]. Oblong folio (35 x 45 cm). With a flourished calligraphic title-page signed "[Charles] Esclozas scripsit", and 140 leaves with more than 350 figures in black ink and sometimes pencil, red ink or coloured washes (blue, yellow, red, green and grey), illustrating plain and solid geometry, projections, perspective, architecture, bridges, cartography, globes, sundials, etc., and with text and illustrations in black thick-thin borders. Contemporary green half morocco, spine richly gold-tooled. [1], [1 blank], [97], [1 blank] pp. plus 140 illustration ll. partly numbered in 13 series. Full description
€ 25,000
Architecture Instruments & Microscopy Manuscripts & Documents Mathematics Optics & Perspective
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Very scarce astronomy treatise

RINGELBERG, Joachim Sterck van. Institutiones astronomicae ternis libris contentae. Quorum primus sphaerae ac mundi naturam declarat: secundus orbium: tertius circulorum.
Cologne, Petrus Quentell, 1528. Small 8vo. With a richly decorated architectural woodcut border on the title page, a large woodcut printer's device on the final leaf, four decorated woodcut initials, and four woodcut headpieces. Modern blueish-grey paper over boards. [7], "92" [=94], [3] pp. Full description
€ 5,500
Astronomy & Cosmography Early Printing - 16th century School & Textbooks
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Influential book on optics by a noted protégé and collegue of Peter Ramus,
based on the work of Ibn al-Haytham (AlHazen)

RISNER, Friedrich. Opticae libri quatuor ex voto Petri Rami novissimo Fridericum Risnerum per ejusdem in mathematicis adjutorem olim conscripti, ...
Kassel, Wilhelm Wessel (sold by Johann Berner in Frankfurt), 1615. 4to. With numerous optical, astronomical and mathematical woodcut diagrams in text, woodcut headpieces, tailpieces and initials, and headpieces built up from cast fleurons. 18th-century tan calf, gold-tooled double fillets, re-backed in sheepskin. [20], 259, [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 19,500
Mathematics Optics & Perspective
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Celestial atlas containing an introduction on astronomy,
with 38 contemporary hand-coloured plates showing celestial maps, spheres, constellations etc.

MEIJLAN, Johann Leonard. Atlas portatilis coelestis. Oder Compendiöse Vorstellung des gantzen Welt-Gebäudes in den Anfangs-Gründen des wahren Astronomie...; sondern auch zugleich daraus, sich einen bessern Begriff von dem wahren Fundament sowol der Geographie als Schiffahrt zueignen kan.
Nürnberg, Johann Christoph Weigel, printed by Johann Ernst Adelbulner, 1723. Large 8vo. With a double-page title-page printed in red and black and XXVIII (38) engraved plates (1 double-page) with celestial maps, globes, armillary spheres and astronomical diagrams and constellations, coloured by a contemporary hand and tipped onto the fore-edge, folding out so that they can be viewed while reading the book. Contemporary calf. [16], 362, [22] pp. Full description
€ 3,500
Astronomy & Cosmography Atlases & Globes
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Finely executed Royal Naval Academy exercises by the teenage future Admiral,
Charles Sotheby 493 pages including nautical charts, fortification plans,
astronomical diagrams, topographic views, etc.:

SOTHEBY, Charles. [engraved title-page:] A plan of mathematical learning taught in the Royal Academy Portsmouth performed by [in pencil: Charles Sotheby] a student there.
[Portsmouth], "177 " [recté 1795-1798]. 2 volumes. Imperial 4to (37.5 x 27 cm). Manuscript school exercises with a pre-printed engraved title-page with a blank space for the student to add his name, with 4 full-page and 1 larger folding nautical charts (some partly in colour), 7 full-page fortification plans (in black ink with 1 to 3 colours), 4 full-page astronomical diagrams (2 also with yellow), a full-page compass rose, 23 pen and ink wash views in the text (9 x 15 cm to 12.5 x 22 cm, 1 also with blue washes), and numerous other diagrams (including maps in the surveying section) and some illustrations in the text. Near contemporary (ca. 1803) blind- and gold-tooled half calf, blue sprinkled edges. engraved title-page + “229” [= 228]; 230-493, [2 blank] pp., with pp. 229 and 493 blank excepting the page numbers. Full description
€ 25,000
Astronomy & Cosmography Charts & Maps Fortification & Military Architecture Manuscripts & Documents Mathematics Navigation USA - United States of America
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Measuring spherical triangles

STEENSTRA, Pybo. Verhandeling over de klootsche driehoeks-meeting. Bevattende alle de regelen, die men nodig heeft, om, op de kortste en gemakkelykste wyze, allerlei soort
Amsterdam, J.W. Yntema & Comp., 1801. 8vo. With numerous woodcut geometrical illustrations in text. Contemporary blue paper wrappers. XVI, 207, [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 475
Mathematics
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Second and best edition of André Tacquet’s collected works on applied mathematics

TACQUET, André. Opera mathematica, quorum elenchus in fine praefationis typographia ad lectorem exhibetur. Opera sane aurea in lucem publicam & usum erudita posteritatis gratulantibus litteratorum geniis edita.
Antwerp, Henricus & Cornelius Verdussen, 1707. Folio. With a richly engraved allegorical frontispiece illustrating light refraction through lenses and the teaching of drawing with compasses, large engraved publisher's device on title-page, title in red and black, and numerous illustrations and figures on 87 folding engraved plates. Contemporary richly blind- and gold-tooled vellum over wooden boards, on the front board, the coat-of-arms of the Cartusiae Maurbacensis as centrepiece on the back board, red edges, two metal clasps. [32], 553, [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 6,950
Fortification & Military Architecture Mathematics Military History (18th Century)
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First edition in the original Greek of the oldest treatise on spherical geometry

THEODOSIUS. Sphaericorum libri tres, nunquam antehac graece excusi.
Paris, André Wechel, 1558. Small 4to (21 x 14 cm). With woodcut publisher's Pegasus device on title-page (repeated on last page), numerous woodcut mathematical diagrams in text, woodcut headpieces and decorated initials. 18th-century tanned sheepskin, gold-tooled spine and board edges. [8], 54, [2], 70, [2] pp. Full description
€ 9,500
Arabic Printing & Calligraphy Astronomy & Cosmography Early Printing - 16th century Greek & Roman Classics Mathematics Science
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Three important first editions on analytical geometry, differential calculus and infinitesimals

TORELLI, Guiseppe. De nihilo geometrico, libri II.
Verona, Augostino Carattoni, 1758. With a woodcut vignette on the title-page (with a globe, book and instruments), and many fine-line diagrams in text.
With:
(2) SALADINI, Girolamo. Elementa geometriae infinitesimorum. Libri tres.
Bologna, Tommaso d'Aquino, 1760. Title-page with an engraved vignette of a putto with drafting instruments and an armillary sphere, and with numerous diagrams on 9 folding engraved plates.
(3) CARNOT, Lazare. Oeuvres mathématiques.
Basel, J. Decker, 1797. With a stipple-engraved (and aquatint) frontispiece portrait of Carnot by Jean Jacques de Mechel, and 6 diagrams on a folding engraved plate. 3 works in 1 volume. 8vo. Contemporary half tanned sheepskin, gold-tooled spine. 117, [3 blank]; XIV, [2], 139, [2], [1 blank]; XVI, 208 pp. Full description
€ 9,000
Mathematics
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Beautifully illustrated astronomy and more by “the most important Italian thinker of his times”

VENETUS, Paolo Nicoletti [and Restoro d'AREZZO]. Summa philosophie naturalis ... una cu[m] libro de co[m]positione mundi qui astronomie ianua nuncupari potest ... [at the head of the page:] Primus liber incipit De co[m]positione mu[n]di.
Paris, Jean Lambert (colophon: printed by Thomas Kees, 14 November 1513). Small 4to (28 x 20.5 cm). With 55 woodcut illustrations in the text, including 12 northern and 12 southern pictorial constellations with stars. Flexible wrap-around paperboards (ca. 1750?), sewn on 3 tanned leather supports. [35], [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 18,000
Astronomy & Cosmography Early Printing - 16th century Geology
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A very rare edition of a popular manual on navigation,
together with the logarithmic tables and trigonometric functions

VEUR, Adriaan Teunisz. van. Zeemans schatkamer, daar in de stuurmans-konst niet alleen als voor deezen beschreeven; maar ook verscheide zaken verbetert en bygevoegt zyn ...
Amsterdam, Johannes II van Keulen, 1755.
With:
(2) De tafelen sinuum, tangentium, en secantium ...
Amsterdam, Isaac Swigters, [ca. 1752].
2 works in 1 volume. 8vo. With a woodcut vignette on the title-page, numerous woodcut mathematical figures, tables, decorated initials, and tail-pieces. Contemporary vellum, sewn on 4 supports laced through the joints, with the manuscript title and author on the spine, red edges. [4], 326, [16]; [256] pp. Full description
€ 4,500
Education & Pedagogy Mathematics Navigation Netherlands School & Textbooks VOC
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Very rare first edition of a standard illustrated handbook for ships' pilots

VRIES, Klaas de. Schat-kamer ofte konst der stier-lieden, ...
Amsterdam, Joannes Loots, 1702. With woodcut illustration of a ship's pilot with a plumb line and navigational instruments by Adriaan Le Duc (1693-1729) on title-page, 4 engraved plates (3 folding and 1 full-page). Further with many woodcut illustrations (mostly diagrams), and letterpress tables of tides and solar and lunar positions.
Including: (2) VLACQ, Adriaen. De Tafelen der sinuum, tangentium en secantium, ofte der hoekmaten, raaklynen en snylynen.
Amsterdam, Joannes Loots, 1702. Primarily with letterpress tables of logarithms and trigonometric functions, the present copy lacking those for logarithms. 2 parts in 1 volume. 8vo. Contemporary vellum. [12], 30, [12], [1], 32-272, 271-334, [1], [1 blank]; [3], 44, [1], [12], [90 lacking], [2], [101], [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 8,500
Mathematics Navigation VOC
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Early 19th-century illustrated Dutch manuscript, based on a classic 18th-century work on navigation

VRIES, Klaas de and Sietse DAUWES. Konst der stierlieden[!] voor deezen beschreeven van den navigateur Klaas de Vries. Uijtgewerkt door Sietse Dauwes. Van de Lemmer. Begonnen, in den jaare 1814. Maand Januarij.
Lemmer, Friesland, The Netherlands, 1814. Folio (32 x 21 cm). With more than 350 instructive diagrams and drawings and several tables. The Dutch text is written in a clearly legible, 19th-century cursive hand in brown ink. Contemporary quarter red sheepskin and blue marbled paper sides. [1], [100], [115 blank] ll. Full description
€ 8,500
Manuscripts & Documents Mathematics Navigation
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Rare tenth edition of a practical and mathematical manual on the art of navigation

VRIES, Klaas de; Evert FLORYN (editor); S. HOLLANDER (compiler). Schat-kamer of kunst der stuurlieden, inhoudende: een duidelyke onderwysinge in de navigatie, aangaande het gene de stuurlieden noodwendig behooren te weten.
Amsterdam, widow of Gerard Hulst van Keulen, 1812.
With: (2) FLORYN, Evert. Tafelen, bevattende de sinussen, tangenten en secanten, van minuut tot minuut voor ieder boog van het quadrant, in hunne natuurlyke getallen, op een' radius van 10.000.000, ... als mede de logarithmen der gewoone getallen, in hunne natuurlyke orde van opvolging, van 1 tot 10.000.
Amsterdam, widow of Gerard Hulst van Keulen, 1815.With: (3) Geographische tafel behelzende de graden der breedte op poolshoogte en lengte of middag-cirkel van de meest bekende steden, rivieren, kapen, baayen. ...
Amsterdam, widow of Gerard Hulst van Keulen, 1812.
3 works in 1 volume, the first in 2 parts. Large 8vo. Ad 1: with 4 folding plates (1 of a compass and the other 3 on drawing "flat" maps and maps with an enlarged latitude), many mathematical and geographical woodcuts in the text, some tables in the text. Ad 2: the whole work consisting of tables and with some woodcut tailpieces. Contemporary goatskin parchment over stiff boards, blue sprinkled edges. [6], XVI, 296; 220; [239], [1 blank]; 41, [3 blank] pp. Full description
€ 2,950
Charts & Maps Geography Mathematics Navigation
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First edition of an important Dutch manual for the use of the sector or proportional compass

WARIUS, Pieter. Nieuwe verklaring over de proportionaal passer, waar in aangewesen word, hoe dezelve is te tekenen, en hoe tafeltjes daar toe dienende konnen werden berekent, vervolgens der zelver veelvuldig en nuttig gebruyk, zoo in de tel- als meetkonst; ...
Amsterdam, Joannes Loots, 1708. 4to. With a large folding engraved plate illustrating the scales on the sector and 12 smaller folding engraved plates showcasing several of the calculations. Contemporary calf, gold-tooled spine. [4], 72 pp. Full description
€ 2,950
Fortification & Military Architecture Instruments & Microscopy Mathematics Military History (18th Century) Navigation
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Rare mathematical study of the construction of sundials

WELPER, Eberhard the elder. Gnomonica, oder gründlicher Unterricht und Beschreibung, Wie man allerhand Sonnen-Uhren auf ebenen Orten künstlich aufreissen und leichlich verfertigen soll &c. Zum andermal aufgeleget und mit nutzlichen Anmerkungen, wie auch dem andern Theil, vermehret, durch einen Liebhaber der Mathematischen Wissenschaften [= Johann Christoph Sturm].
Nuremberg, Paulus Fürstens, printed by Christoph Gerhard, 1672. 2 volumes bound as 1. 4to. With a finely engraved frontispiece (an architectural gate with a wide variety of sundials and other astronomical instruments), 16 engraved plates (1 folding) in the first part (that for p. 48 repeated - at the end of vol. 2 - in accordance with the instructions to the binder), and numerous mathematical illustrations and figures on 13 folding engraved plates lettered A-N in the second part. Contemporary parchment. [12], 88; 74, [2] pp. Full description
€ 4,250
Instruments & Microscopy Mathematics
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Dutch mathematician Nicolaas Ypey on conic sections, with 50 mathematical figures

YPEY, Nicolaas. Grondbeginzelen der kegelsneeden, bevattende de eerste en voornaamste eigenschappen van de parabola, ellips en hyperbola. Ten dienste der leerlingen opgesteld.
Amsterdam, Yntema and Tieboel, 1769. 8vo. With 7 engraved folding plates, head- and tailpieces built up from cast typographic ornaments. Contemporary half calf, sprinkled-paper sides. XXVIII, 68 pp. Full description
€ 1,250
Mathematics School & Textbooks
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The work that revolutionised ocean navigation

[ZACUTO, Abraham Ben Samuel]. Ephemerides sive Almanach perpetuu[m].
(Colophon:) Venice, Petrus Liechtenstein, for Johannes Lucilius Santritter, October 1498. 4to. With a woodcut title page and numerous tables. 20th-century limp vellum, sewn on 2 thin vellum straps laced through the joints, with the manuscript name of the (wrong) author and year of publication on the spine. [122] ll. Full description
€ 165,000
Astronomy & Cosmography Early Printing - 15th century Navigation
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