Homocentrica

Sold
$ 4 032
Auction dateClassic
27.01.2023 10:00UTC +01:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
United Kingdom, London
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 887801
Lot 28 | Homocentrica
FRACASTORO, Girolamo (c. 1476-1553). Homocentrica. Euisdem de causis criticorum dierum per eaque in nobis sunt. Venice: [no publisher], 1538.

First edition of the first printed description of the telescope; a large copy. The polymathic Fracastoro was a passionate empiricist, which often led him to (correct) conclusions contra established opinion in a wide variety of fields. This work paved the way for the Copernican revolution by pointing out problems in the Ptolemaic system. Fracastoro and Copernicus were students together at Padua, where they may have discussed these ideas as young men. Adams F-825; Riccardi I (1) 481; Stillwell I 57.

Quarto (202 x 146mm). Woodcut portrait of Fracastoro, diagrams in text (title repaired at inner corners, a few spots and stains). Old vellum (endpapers renewed). Provenance: contemporary marginal annotations.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
13.01.2023 – 27.01.2023
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Related terms