The Almagest - photo 1
The Almagest - photo 2
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The Almagest - photo 4

The Almagest

Lot 83
05.02.2026 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
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CHRISTIE'S
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
ID 1540331
Lot 83 | The Almagest
Estimate value
$ 15 000 – 25 000
PTOLEMAEUS, Claudius (c.100-c.170). Almagestum seu magnae constructionis mathematicae opus. Translated from Greek into Latin by Georgius Trapezuntius, edited by Luca Gaurico. Venice: Luc'antonio Giunta, 1528.

The first published Latin translation made from the original Greek text of Ptolemy's most important astronomical and mathematical work. "Until the innovative work of Tycho Brahe and Kepler in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, that is, for nearly fifteen hundred years, the Almagest was the basis of all sophisticated astronomy, a longevity exceeded only by Euclid's Elements" (Swerdlow). Instruments mentioned or described include the equatorial armillary, the plinth, the meridional armillary, the triquestrum and the armillary astrolabon. The Almagest had been translated into Arabic circa 800 and was re-introduced to Western Europe in the later Middle Ages via the Latin translation from the Arabic by Gerard of Cremona; that version was first published in Venice in 1515. Adams P-2214; Norman 1760; see Stillwell 97; Swerdlow, Rome Reborn (Washington 1993), p.144; Wellcome 5281.

Folio (312 x 213mm). Title printed in red and black, woodcut diagrams throughout, without final blank S8 (mild spotting/soiling to title, tiny wormhole to a1-2, very occasional and minor discoloration). Early limp vellum, spine titled in manuscript (recased with old pastedowns preserved); navy morocco clamshell box. Provenance: verses by Eilhard Lübben, University of Rostock, in early hand on the verso of title.
Place of origin:Italy
Auction house category:Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
22.01.2026 – 05.02.2026
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
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