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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.
€ 6,000
First edition of Giovanni Paolo Galluccis Theatrum mundi, considered the first modern celestial atlas. This 16th-century atlas was the first to use the Copernican coordinates for the locations of the stars. In six books, Gallucci provided his readers with a survey of terrestrial and celestial physics, beautifully illustrated with many woodcuts.
Gallucci dedicated it to Pope Sixtus V, who had banned all astrological literature in 1586, trying to convince him to grant an astronomical observatory. Although Gallucci cant resist reading some astrological implications into the constellations, he tried to write a pure astronomical treatise. He discusses planets and their qualities, their radiation, the influence they exerted when in particular positions in the zodiac, and designates some zodiac signs masculine or feminine, commanding or obedient. He also added medical notes to his astronomical treatise, concerning the influence of constellations and the signs of the zodiac on the human body and therefore on human health. Gallucci argued for using astrology in medicine, while warning physicians to be thoughtful and not overly reliant on it.
It nevertheless became very popular, probably in part because of the many illustrations. This makes it not only as the first modern celestial atlas, but also one of the most important and popular astronomical works in the 16th century.
With an owner's inscription on the title-page. Binding a little stained, lacking the moving volvelles. Slightly water stained in the head margin of the first few pages, with a tear in the foot margin of pp. 93-94, a few stains (sometimes affecting the plates), but otherwise in good condition and with the additional folding table "Canon sexagenarius". Adams G168; BM STC Italian, p. 289; Honeyman 1423 & 1424; Houzeau & Lancaster 2725; Mortimer, Italian 206; Riccardi I, col. 568; Thorndike VI, pp. 158-159; USTC 831617.
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Related Subjects:

Early printing & manuscripts  >  Medicine & Pharmacy
Medicine & pharmacy  >  Medicine & Pharmacy pre 1700
Science & technology  >  Astronomy & Mathematics