Primus[-Tertius] tractatus - photo 1
Primus[-Tertius] tractatus - photo 2

Primus[-Tertius] tractatus

Lot 86
28.01.2025 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 4 410
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1360802
Lot 86 | Primus[-Tertius] tractatus
Estimate value
$ 6 000 – 9 000
GARCAEUS, Johannes (1530-1574). Primus[–Tertius] tractatus. Wittenburg: J. Kraft, 1563-1565-1565.

First editions of three astronomical treatises, with two extremely rare star charts. Commenting on the relative silence of 16th-century astronomers concerning the Copernican system, Owen Gingerich writes that while Copernicus’ name appears often in print, his heliocentric system is almost never discussed. Gingerich names Garcaeus’s present works as an important early example of this phenomenon: “Primarily an astrological work, it cites Copernicus ten times and uses his numbers to get celestial positions of the planets” and yet makes no reference to Copernicus’ heliocentrism (The Eye of Heaven, p. 294).

The series of 17 fold-out tables concludes with 2 large celestial maps based on Honter’s maps of 1532: Hemisphaerum boreale xxi. asterismorum cum xii. dodecatemoriis (dated 1565) and Hemisphaerum australe, cum xii. dodecatemoriis. These maps are very rare—Warner in The Sky Explored identifies only the Hemisphaerum boreale map, speculating “There may well have been a southern mate” as present in this copy (p. 92). Very rare, with only three auction records in RBH.

Three volumes bound together, octavo (152 × 120mm). 17 fold-out tables plus 2 large celestial maps (browning to letterpress, tear on P5, three tables bound so as not to fully open). Early limp vellum, manuscript title on spine (hinges repaired).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
14.01.2025 – 28.01.2025
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

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.