Mathematicae Collectiones - photo 1
Mathematicae Collectiones - photo 2
Mathematicae Collectiones - photo 3
Mathematicae Collectiones - photo 4

Mathematicae Collectiones

Sold
$ 4 410
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 887842
Lot 69 | Mathematicae Collectiones
PAPPUS of Alexandria (c.290-350). Mathematicae Collectiones a Federico Commandino Urbinate in latinum conversae, et commentariis illustratae. Pesaro: Girolamo Concordia, 1588.

First edition of Pappus’ Collection, also known as the Synagogue, translated into Latin by Commandino. Pappus was one of the last in a long line of accomplished Alexandrine mathematicians, and his work comprises eight volumes of commentaries on the ancient mathematical canon. It is “by far the most important of Pappus’ works ... without it, much of the geometrical achievement of his predecessors would have been lost forever... The Collection deals with the whole body of Greek geometry, mostly in the form of commentaries on texts which it is assumed the reader has to hand. It reproduces known solutions to problems in geometry; but it also frequently gives Pappus’ own solutions, or improvements and extensions to existing solutions. Thus Pappus handles the problem of inscribing five regular solids in a sphere in a way quite different from Euclid; gives a broader generalization that Euclid to the famous Pythagorean theorem, and provides a demonstration of squaring the circle which is quite different from the method of Archimedes (who used a spiral) or that of Nicomedes (who used the conchoid).

“Perhaps the most interesting part of the Collection, measured by its influence on modern mathematics, is Book VII, which is concerned with the problems of determining the locus with respect to three, four, five, six or more than six lines. Pappus’ work in this field was called ‘Pappus’ problem’ by René Descartes, who demonstrated that the difficulties which Pappus was unable to overcome could be got round by the use of his new algebraic symbols. Pappus thus came to play an important, if minor, role in the founding of Cartesian analytical geometry. And it is another mark of his originality and skill that he spent much time working on the problem of drawing a circle in such a way that it will touch three given circles, a problem sophisticated enough to engage the interest, centuries later, of both François Viète and Isaac Newton.

“For his own originality, even if his chief importance is as the preserver of Greek scientific knowledge, Pappus stands (with Diophantus) as the last of the long and distinguished line of Alexandrian mathematicians” (Hutchinson Dictionary of Scientific Biography). Adams P-223; Riccardi I 364 11

Folio (306 x 202mm). Woodcut printer's device on title, numerous woodcuts in text and several historiated woodcut initials (dampstain at end, a few spots, repair to blank margin of one leaf). Contemporary Italian vellum, manuscript title on spine. Provenance: inscription on flyleaf.
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
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

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.