Epistolarum astronomicarum libri - photo 1

Epistolarum astronomicarum libri

Lot 69
28.01.2025 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
To bid, go to the website
CHRISTIE'S
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
ID 1360785
Lot 69 | Epistolarum astronomicarum libri
Estimate value
$ 10 000 – 20 000
BRAHE, Tycho (1546-1601). Epistolum astronomicarum libri. Uraniborg [Hven]: [at the author's press], 1596.

First edition, first issue, of the scientific correspondence between Tycho Brahe, Landgrave Wilhelm IV of Hesse, and the latter's court astronomer Christopher Rothmann, printed at Brahe's private press in his observatory on the island of Hven, on paper made at the observatory paper mill. Although Brahe had planned to publish a series of volumes containing selections from his vast scientific correspondence, this was the only one to appear. Prince Wilhelm (1532-1592), who had been tutored in his youth by Rumold Mercator, was an important patron of the study of astronomy and a gifted amateur astronomer whose primary concern was improving techniques for astronomical observation. He designed several astronomical instruments, built the first observatory with a revolving dome, and conceived a complete catalogue of the Hessian sky—a vast undertaking for which he obtained, at Brahe's advice, the assistance of the industrious Christoph Rothmann (c.1599-1608), and which was only completed after his death. Brahe had visited Wilhelm at Kassel in 1575 and impressed the Landgrave, whose recommendation may have led King Frederick II of Denmark to offer Brahe the island of Hven as the site for an observatory. The three are not known to have communicated again until the comet of 1585, "which led to an exchange of letters between Tycho in Hven and William IV and Rothmann in Kassel that lasted for six years [...] This correspondence covered all aspects of contemporary astronomy: instruments and methods of observing, the Copernican system (which Rothmann supported against Tycho's system), comets, and auroras" (DSB). Appended is a short description of the Uraniborg observatory—site of "the last of the pre-telescope observations" (Dibner)—illustrated with woodcuts and a map of the island of Hven that would be reused in the 1598 Astronomiae instauratae mechanica. This is one of the first such descriptions of an astronomical observatory, and anticipates the more detailed report of the Mechanica. Very few copies of this first issue remain in private hands. The work is more commonly known through the re-issues of 1601 (Nuremberg: Hulsius, with new title-page) and 1610 (Frankfurt: Tampach, new title-page and some sheets reprinted). Adams B-2653.

Quarto (233 x 165mm). (Marginal stains from washed and treated mildew, repairs to first two quires and colophon, title-page with loss to lower third of leaf with part of imprint and year in facsimile, some short tears and repairs otherwise). Limp vellum (endleaves replaced, old treated mildew stains to vellum); custom box.
Artist:Tycho Brahe (1546 - 1601)
Place of origin:The Netherlands
Auction house category:Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
14.01.2025 – 28.01.2025
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

More from Creator

Epistolarum astronomicarum [and] De mundi aetherei
Epistolarum astronomicarum [and] De mundi aetherei
$8 000
Astronomiae instauratae progymnasmata
Astronomiae instauratae progymnasmata
$8 000
Tycho Brahe's Uraniborg
Tycho Brahe's Uraniborg
$4 000
BRAHE, Tycho (1546-1601).
BRAHE, Tycho (1546-1601).
£30 000
RARE PILLAR SUNDIAL DEDICATED TO AN ASSOCIATE OF TYCHO BRAHE
RARE PILLAR SUNDIAL DEDICATED TO AN ASSOCIATE OF TYCHO BRAHE
£100
BRAHE, Tycho (1546-1601). 
BRAHE, Tycho (1546-1601). 
£3 000
BRAHE, Tycho (1546-1601)
BRAHE, Tycho (1546-1601)
£25 000
BRAHE, Tycho (1546-1601).
BRAHE, Tycho (1546-1601).
£30 000

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.