Peter Apian (1495-1552) – German Renaissance universal scholar
Cosmographiae Introductio cum quibusdam Geometriae ac Astronomiae principijs ad eam rem necessarijs
Printed by G. Antonio de Sabio for Melchior Sessa in Venedig, 1533
Very early and first edition of the 'Cosmographia' in Latin printed in Italy
Title woodcut with globe in an armillary sphere, 25 woodcuts in the text with illustration of the earth, constellations, climate zones, latitudes and much more
19th century flexible vellum binding
Dimensions of small octave volume: 16.5 x 11.5 x 1 cm
Complete and well-preserved copy of this rare work
Object is regular taxed. The 7% VAT of the hammer price will be taken off the bill.

This extremely rare early edition of the 'Cosmographia' by Apian is also the first edition printed in Italy as well as the first work of all by Apian that was printed in Italy. The 'Cosmographia' is regarded as a compendium of the 'Cosmographicus liber' by Apian from 1524, which became famous as one of his most popular scientific works. Among others, the work mentions Amerigo Vespucci and contains an abstract on the discovery of America in this context.

The large introductory title woodcut shows the globe in an armillary sphere. The other woodcuts in the text show, amongst others, the earth, constellations, the earth's different climate zones, models for the calculation of latitudes and meridians, longitudes, distances to the moon, the usage of trigonometry, various ways of map specification as well as two repeated maps of Greece.

With printing note at the end and the printer's device with crown and initials in circle and with an illustration of a cat carrying a mouse in center, characteristic of Melchior Sessa's Venetian printing shop

Illustration

Printed in one column with Arabian pagination. Dimensions of leaves: 16 x 10 cm. Text area: 12.5 x 7 cm. One large title woodcut as well as 25 woodcuts in the text and a woodcut printer's device.

Collation

31 unnumbered leaves, 1 unnumbered leaf. The 'Cosmographia' is complete.

Condition

In good condition. Paper slightly and evenly discolored, a little browning in places. Lower margins with water stains. Leaf 13 with longer text entry by an old hand in brown ink. Corner of one leaf torn, however, no loss of text or image.

Outer margins of pages slightly split in places, because the work is untrimmed. Strong impressions on mostly firm laid paper.

Binding

Flexible 19th century vellum binding, which is slightly browned and somewhat stained.

Endpapers renewed. Book block firm. Dimensions of volume: 16.5 x 11.5 x 1 cm.

Peter Apian (1495-1552)

Peter Apian, also Petrus Apianus, was mathematician, astronomer, geo- and cartographer, as well as printer and publisher. At first he studied in Leipzig and went to Vienna in 1523, where he was student of Georg Tannstetter. Apian was appointed professor for mathematics in Ingolstadt in 1527. He set up his own printing shop in Ingolstadt. Apian collected comprehensive observations on the movement of the planets and developed mechanic scientific instruments that helped to predict the planets' movement, for instance the revolving paper discs in this book. In his accompanying text Apian explains the usage of the so-called volvelles. As a consequence of his examinations, Apian developed a method to measure geographical longitudes by means of measuring the distance to the moon. As court mathematician Apian won the favor of Holy Roman Emperor Karl V, who ennobled him as imperial knight on the Reichstag at Regensburg 1541.

References

Adams C 2723; STC 201.IA 106.420; Sander 469.

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