Apianus, Cosmographie, 1553.
Cosmographie, oft Beschrijuinghe der geheelder Werelt van Petrus Apianus. derdwerf nu ghecorrogeert van Gemma Frisio mathematicien ende doctoor in medicinen.
Item Number: 13703 Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Books > Scientific Books
Rare Dutch version by the Louvain professor Gemma Frisius (1508-1555) of a major early scientific work by the German scholar Apianus (1495-1552). The 4 parts deal with cosmography and astronomy, geography (including a description of America and Peru), astronomical observations by night, and surveying (by Gemma Frisius).
Large woodcut astronomical ill. on title. Woodcut mark at the end. Numerous woodcut maps, charts and diagrams. Large folding heart-shaped worldmap (Shirley (World), 96), one of the earliest to show the full sweep of the east coast of North America. 5 pp with movable parts. Printed in gothic type.
One of the reasons for the book's enormous popularity was undoubtedly its discussion of the newly discovered lands in the New World. Another was the book's inclusion of ingenious paper devices called volvelles which enabled one to solve practical mathematical problems relating to time-telling, the calendar, and astronomy and astrology.
Bibl.Belg., I 92 A-35; Belg.Typ., 135; Van Ortroy, 24; Not in Adams H.M., Sabin (America), STC Dutch