Observationum solarium libri tres - photo 1
Observationum solarium libri tres - photo 2

Observationum solarium libri tres

Sold
$ 3 780
Auction dateClassic
02.02.2024 10:00UTC -04:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
USA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1129631
Lot 13 | Observationum solarium libri tres
CHRISTMANN, Jacob (1554-1613). Observationum solarium libri tres. In quibus explicatur verus motus solis in zodiaco: & universa doctrina triangulorum, ad rationes apparentium coelestium accommodatur. Basel: Lazarus Zetzner, 1601.

Fine first edition of Christmann's first astronomical publication, on spherical geometry as applied to his solar observations, complete with folding table. The author, a professor of oriental languages at Heidelberg and the second teacher of Arabic in Europe, had made the observations over several years using a sextant of his own design. Christmann's interest in astronomy was partially inspired by his inheritance of the library of Georg Rheticus, which had been in the keeping of his devoted student Valentinus Otho. This collection contained not only trigonometric tables more extensive than those that Rheticus had published in the 1596 Opus Palatinum, but also the original manuscript of Copernicus’s De revolutionibus orbium coelestium.

The present work, dedicated to Tycho Brahe's nephew, begins with a chapter on the construction and use of astronomical instruments, a discussion of solar parallax and observational problems and errors, and methods and techniques of solar observations. This is followed by a history of the solar observations of Brahe and Kepler, and a solar ephemeris for 1597 based on Brahe but corrected with Copernicus’s observations. Christmann then presents his own solar tables, and then concludes with a discussion of prosthapharesis and the calculation and application of trigonometric tables. Rare at auction, RBH only records 3 copies, none in a contemporary binding and only one in the last 50 years—the incomplete Macclesfield copy. Houzeau and Lancaster 2883; Zinner 3884.

Quarto (220 x 159mm). Large folding letterpress chart; several diagrams in text (evenly toned). Contemporary yapped vellum, blue edges.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
26.01.2024 10:00 – 17:00
27.01.2024 10:00 – 17:00
28.01.2024 13:00 – 17:00
29.01.2024 10:00 – 17:00
30.01.2024 10:00 – 17:00
31.01.2024 10:00 – 17:00
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

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.