Lot 114
  • 114

Ptolemaeus, Claudius

Estimate
120,000 - 180,000 GBP
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Description

  • Ptolemaeus, Claudius
  • Cosmographia [translated by Jacobus Angelus, edited by Nicolaus Germanus]; Registrum [by Johann Reger]; De locis et mirabilibus mundi. Ulm: Johann Reger for Justus de Albano, 21 July 1486
  • PAPER
Royal folio (420 x 285mm.), A-B8 C10 D-E8; a10 b-i8; a-c8, 137 leaves (of 140) plus 32 double-page maps (30 bound between the two sections of text, 2 bound at the end), Registrum bound first, double column, 44 lines, roman letter, hand-coloured 6-line woodcut initials, a1 with large hand-coloured woodcut initial depicting Nicolaus Germanus presenting his book to Pope Paul II, hand-coloured woodcut initial with portrait of Ptolemy on a2v, maps with contemporary hand-colouring, woodcut diagrams, red paraphs, initial-strokes and underlining, headlines for the register in red and blue ink, nineteenth-century boards (stamped "Fr. Pf." on inside front cover), lacking 3 text leaves (A2-3 (start of Registrum) and e1), e8 and f1 misbound between i1 and i2, A1 repaired at foot without loss of text, small stain on a2, other occasional light staining, small marginal paper repairs, world map repaired at central fold and at foot with slight loss, second map of Africa damaged at central fold with slight loss, map of the Holy Land and eighth map of Asia slightly torn (without loss) along guard, map of Scandinavia repaired at edges and slightly rubbed, printed marginalia on a few maps slightly trimmed, binding rubbed and scraped

 



A tall copy of the second Ulm edition, translated by Jacobus Angelus and edited by Nicolaus Germanus.

The celebrated Ulm Ptolemy was the first atlas with woodcut maps and the first to be printed in Germany.



The maps are printed from the same blocks as the 1482 edition, with new woodcut headings in the margins. The descriptive text on the back of the maps has been reset, the borders have been omitted and initials altered.



The thirty-two woodcut maps in the volume comprise: a world map, fourteen of Europe, four of Africa, and thirteen of Asia. The five "modern" maps are Spain, France, Italy, Palestine and Scandinavia, the latter the first printed map fo the region.

Throughout the book are contemporary manuscript notes in red or black ink, making comments about the places mentioned or adding additional information, correcting textual errors or glossing words in the text, all of which show close reading of the text by these early readers.

Literature

Goff P1085; HC 13540; BMC ii 540; Bod-inc P529; GW M36374; Klebs 812.6

Condition

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."

Catalogue Note

A tall copy of the second Ulm edition, translated by Jacobus Angelus and edited by Nicolaus Germanus.

The celebrated Ulm Ptolemy was the first atlas with woodcut maps and the first to be printed in Germany.

The maps are printed from the same blocks as the 1482 edition, with new woodcut headings in the margins. The descriptive text on the back of the maps has been reset, the borders have been omitted and initials altered.

The thirty-two woodcut maps in the volume comprise: a world map, fourteen of Europe, four of Africa, and thirteen of Asia. The five "modern" maps are Spain, France, Italy, Palestine and Scandinavia, the latter the first printed map fo the region.

Throughout the book are contemporary manuscript notes in red or black ink, making comments about the places mentioned or adding additional information, correcting textual errors or glossing words in the text, all of which show close reading of the text by these early readers.