ZUCCHETTA, Giambattista. Prima parte della Arimmetica. Per la quale con mirabile ordine, et nuove Regole si risolve con maravigliosa facilità ogni dubbio mercantesco. Con un Trattato che risolve qualunque quesito bisognoso à Zecchieri, Orefici, & Argentari. Brescia, Vincenzo Sabbio, 1600

Small folio, mm. 312x230; contemporary full vellum binding, title written on spine, sprayed edges; pp. 26 nn., including the title page, 2 bl., 412, 4 nn. Engraved title page in copper with the portrait of the author, whitin architectural frame, on second leave an oval portrait of Cristoforo Papa where the work is dedicated, woodcut initials and woodcut ornaments. Note of previous ownership of XVIII century at the title page.“Antono Franc. M. Sartorio”. Slight sign of humidity on the initials and finals leaves, and some little marginal repair, but very nice specimen.

Very rare original edition. An important treatise of mercantile arithmetic, which appeared in this only edition and of which only the first part was published. The work contains the general rules of arithmetic, followed by practical applications to mercantile arithmetic: trades, exchanges, bars, merchant companies, etc. Smith: "The book presupposes knowledge of the arithmetic of integers, and opens with a treatment of fractions. The rule of three, in all its forms, and with most unbusinesslike numbers, is then discussed at great length, and this is followed by various complications of the Rule of Cattaino ... "The prologue is a curious praise of the science of numbers, proved necessary for all professions in human activities, and also for God in the disposition of creation. Riccardi: "Very rare volume ... It is appreciated as one of the best dealers of mercantile arithmetic." Soprani: "Among the aritmetics of our century the most famous, from which everyone else has taken the true rule of well-computing.” Smith, Rara Arithmetica, pp. 426-7; Riccardi, II, 674; Soprani, p. 157; Cerboni, Bibl. Ragioneria, p. 35. The lot is offered with a valid export license.