• Astronomicum Cæsareum

Author:
  • Apian, Peter, 1495-1552
Publisher:
  • [Ingolstadt] : Factum et actum Ingolstadii in ædibus nostris [Peter Apian], Anno a Christo nato sesquimillesimo quadragesimo mense Maio [May 1540].
Format:
  • Book
Date:
  • 1540-1541
Extent:
  • [60] leaves : ill., coats of arms ; 47.5 x 34.5 cm. (fol.)
Language:
  • Latin
Description:
  • Author's name given at head of fol. [3] recto (=A3 recto) as: Apianus.
  • Illustrated title page, with two woodcuts, one a frame surrounding the title, the other circular, with printed text on bottom left and right.
  • Reference in title is to Emperor Charles V to whom and his brother, King Ferdinand I, this work is dedicated.
  • Imprint from colophon, printed in reverse (mirror image).
  • Signatures: A-G⁴(±G2, G3+chi1) H-I⁴ k⁴ L-N⁴ O⁶ (-O6) chi2-chi3 (chi2 verso, chi3 verso blank).
  • 38 full page text illustrations, 22 of them with volvelles (moving discs), many also with centrally attached silk threads. Volvelles are foundon the recto of leaves B3, C1, C3, D1, D3, E1, E2, E4, F2, F3, F4, chi1, G4, k3, k4, L1, L2, L3, L4, M1 and M3 and the verso of leaf G3. Additionally, a large number of smaller text illustrations are present.
  • "Without doubt ... the most luxurious and intrinsically beautiful scientific book that has ever been produced" -- Derek de Solla Price.
  • Fol. [60] recto (=chi3 recto) dated: Ratisbona, die vigesima quarta mensis Iulii, Anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo quadragesimo primo [Regensburg, 24 July 1541] and signed: Carolus. This leaf is lacking in many copies.
  • Cf. Price, D. de S. Science, 1967 p. 104; Gingerich, O. "Early astronomical books with moving parts", AB Bookman's Weekly p. 1507-1508, October 23, 1989.
  • Includes index.
  • Text divided into two parts; the second part has two alternative titles: Meteoroscopium planum Apiam (fol. [49] recto = M4 recto) and: Astronomici cæsarei per Petrum Apianum concinnati pars secunda (fol. [49] verso = M4 verso).
  • WHS copy lacks last leaf.
Bookseller:
  • Steele, Geoffrey
View in catalog:
Subject:
  • Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, 1500-1558
  • Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor, 1503-1564
  • Astronomy—Early works to 1800
  • Comets—Early works to 1800
Collections:
  • Treasures of the Graphic Arts Collection
  • The Scheide Library