Ptolemy's Almagest, 1515

Los 5
05.02.2026 10:00UTC +00:00
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AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
VeranstaltungsortVereinigtes Königreich, London
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ID 1540254
Los 5 | Ptolemy's Almagest, 1515
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$ 25 000 – 35 000
PTOLEMY, Claudius (c.100-c.170). Almagestum. Translated by Gerard of Cremona. Venice: Petrus Liechtenstein, 1515. [Bound with:] Georg PEURBACH (1423-1461). Tabulae eclypsium [and:] Johannes REGIOMONTANUS (1436-1476). Tabula primi mobilis. Vienna: Johannes Winterburger, 1514.

First complete Latin edition of Ptolemy's Almagest, bound in contemporary pigskin with the first edition of Peurbach's eclipse tables and one of the earliest histories (and bibliographies) of European astronomy. The title of the present text is drawn from the medieval Latin form of its Arabic name; in the original Greek, it was just called the Mathematike Syntaxis—"The Mathematical Treatise." Before the advent of Copernicanism, the Almagest was the basis of essentially all serious astronomical study, with only Euclid's Elements rivaling its importance and longevity as a scientific primer. Ptolemy lived and wrote in Roman Alexandria, but the first Latin translation of his work was not made until the 12th century, based on an Arabic translation.

"This beautifully printed Latin version made available for the first time Ptolemy's complete epicyclic theory and the observations on which it rested. Perhaps Copernicus at last realized, when he obtained his copy of the text, how formidable a task awaited any astronomer who wished to promulgate a new and working cosmology" (Gingerich). The present copy is bound with Peurbach's eclipse tables, "recognized throughout the sixteenth century as a monument of industry [and] Peurbach’s most impressive work" (DSB). The edition by Johannes Winterburger also contains work by Peurbach's student Regiomontanus. He had "completed his Tabula primi mobilis in Hungary prior to 1471 when he left for Nuremberg [and] had originally intended to publish it at his own press which he set up in his house in Nuremberg, but this was never carried out. It was published here for the first time along with his teacher’s table of eclipses" (Norman). This is the first issue, without the tabula manualis, and collates as in Adams with 4 leaves in g and 8 in AA. I: Adams P-2213; Essling 895; Houzeau-Lancaster 865. See Gingerich, Science in the Age of Copernicus 9 (1978 exhibition catalogue). II: Adams P-2271; Norman 1689; Stillwell Science 84 ("handsome folio"). Exhibited: "The Heavens Revealed," Chapin Library, Williams College, 2003.

Two works bound in one, folio (313 x 215mm). I) Woodcut diagrams and historiated initials, device on last leaf printed in red and black (narrow dampstain at top edge). II) Woodcut diagrams on title, illustration of Ptolemy and Regiomontanus beneath armillary sphere, woodcut device on final leaf (some toning, marginal worming to final leaves). Contemporary blindstamped pigskin, clasps, manuscript waste used as spine liner (upper top joint split but sturdy, tailband lacking, final leaf coming detached). Custom box. Provenance: sporadic but fulsome marginalia including diagrams in both works, perhaps some by: – Conradus Knobbe (inscription dated 1542 on front pastedown) – partially effaced Jesuit college inscriptions dated 1648 on first title and final leaf.
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