Tabulae eclipsium and Tabula primi mobilis - photo 1
Tabulae eclipsium and Tabula primi mobilis - photo 2

Tabulae eclipsium and Tabula primi mobilis

Lot 116
28.01.2025 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 5 670
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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ID 1360832
Lot 116 | Tabulae eclipsium and Tabula primi mobilis
Estimate value
$ 6 000 – 9 000
PEUERBACH, Georg (1423-1461) and REGIOMONTANUS, Johannes (1436-1476). Tabulae eclypsium. Edited by Georg Tannstetter. Vienna: Johannes Winterburger for Leonard and Lucas Alantsee, 1514.

First edition of Peurebach's eclipse tables, with the rare two-leaf “Tabula manualis” annotated by an early hand. In this copy, the Tabula manualis is bound to follow gathering 2b instead of the later placement indicated by Adams. Its presence is rare and may denote a second issue.

Norman characterizes this work as “two practical works of astronomy by the 15th century’s two foremost astronomers.” Peuerbach also includes one of the earliest histories of European astronomy and a bibliography of Peuerbach's works. "Recognized throughout the sixteenth century as a monument of industry, the Tabulae eclipsium, completed probably in 1459, is Peuerbach’s most impressive work and was still used (although critically) by Tycho near the end of the sixteenth century" (DSB). It is based on the Alphonsine Tables, but expanded and rearranged with great labor and skill for the computation of eclipses, providing an important and time-saving tool for fellow astronomers.

Also included is the first edition by Peuerbach’s student Regiomontanus. Regiomontanus had "completed his Tabula primi mobilis in Hungary prior to 1471 when he left for Nuremberg. He had originally intended to publish it at his own press which he set up in his house in Nuremberg, but this was never carried out. It was published here for the first time along with his teacher’s table of eclipses. Edited by Georg Tannstetter (who used the pseudonym Collimitius), the introduction contains a bio-bibliographical catalogue of distinguished mathematicians and astronomers associated with the University of Vienna" (Norman). Adams P-2271; VD 16 2056; Norman 1689; Stillwell Science 84 ("a handsome folio").

Folio (288 x 202mm). 134 leaves. Two astronomical woodcuts on title, woodcut armillary sphere, 2 diagrams, Imperial coat-of-arms on colophon (title with some erasures/stains and a repair at gutter margin, sporadic pale marginal dampstain, heavier on about 4 leaves at end, colophon laid down repairing a long tear and a large chip from lower margin, last two leaves with light soiling). Later vellum, red morocco spine label (darkened, corners showing, endpapers dampstained and front free endpaper nearly separated). Provenance: deleted ownership inscriptions on title-page – mathematical notes on “tabula manualis” – Owen Gingerich (bookplate).
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