Bianchini, Francesco

First edition, folio (400 x 260mm.), title printed in red and black with engraved armorial vignette, frontispiece incorporating portrait of John V of Portugal, 10 plates, 4 folding, 3 engravings in text, one woodcut text diagram, engraved head- and tailpieces and 2 initials, recent half calf, [Ashforth/Linda Hall Library Faces of the Moon, 11; Brown, Astronomical Atlases, p.139; Riccardi I:132]

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An important work in which Bianchini concluded that Venus rotates on an axis inclined at about 75 degrees to the plane of its orbit in just over 24 days. Two of the plates illustrate the long telescopes of the time, and a third shows an armillary sphere. In addition, there is a small engraved text illustration depicting "the lunar crater, Plato at the right, with Aristotle and Eudoxus at left, and the mountain range of the Alps cut by the dramatic slash of the Alpine valley. Bianchini noted with surprise that the valley did not appear on the great Cassini map, and he was right; Bianchini was the first to see and to portray this most impressive of lunar valleys" (Ashforth/Linda Hall, Faces of the Moon). Bianchini also observed that the crater at top centre was pictured but not named on the Cassini map. It was later named, aptly enough, after Cassini.