ID 993308
Lot 112 | GEMMA FRISIUS, Reinerus (1508-1555)
Estimate value
£ 5 000 – 8 000
De radio astronomico & geometrico liber. Antwerp: G. Bontius and Louvain: P. Phalesius, 1545.
Very rare first edition of Gemma Reinerus's description of an improved cross-staff, with woodcuts showing its construction and use. A brass version made by Gemma's nephew Arsenius was brought by John Dee to England in 1547 and Tycho Brahe states in his Astronomiae instauratae mechanica (1602) that his observations relied on the instrument beginning in 1564. D.W. Waters notes that the modification of the cross-staff directly influenced the northern navigations in the 16th century (see Waters, The Art of Navigation in England in Elizabethan and early Stuart Times, p.135). Adams G-390.
Small quarto (198 x 140 mm). Woodcut arms on title, woodcuts in text. (worming in upper and lower margins, M4 detached). Old limp vellum (binding slightly stained and fore-edges chipped).
Special notice
No VAT is payable on the hammer price or the buyer's premium for this lot. Please see the VAT Symbols and Explanation section of the Conditions of Sale for further information
Artist: | Gemma Frisius (1508 - 1555) |
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Place of origin: | Belgium, Western Europe, Europe |
Auction house category: | Printed books |
Artist: | Gemma Frisius (1508 - 1555) |
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Place of origin: | Belgium, Western Europe, Europe |
Auction house category: | Printed books |
Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
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Preview |
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Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
Buyer Premium | see on Website | |
Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |
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