JOHANNES DE SACRO BOSCO, SPHAERA MUNDI, VENICE, 1488, MODERN NAVY LEATHER

4to (208 x 151mm.), 69 leaves, A10 B8 BB12 C8 D10-1 E-F8 G6, 35 lines, roman type, first heading printed in red, woodcut initials, woodcut illustrations (some full-page, some printed in colour), woodcut printer's device beneath colophon, paraphs supplied in red, EXTENSIVE EARLY ANNOTATIONS in a neat Italian hand, modern navy leather by Leighton of Brewer Street, London, gilt edges, slight stain to recto of first leaf resulting in a few very small holes, binding slightly rubbed

William M. Ivins, Jr (1881-1961), inscription on flyleaf dated 23 July 1923, sale, Parke-Bernet, 15-16 January 1963, lot 362; Alberto Parreño (died 1972), armorial bookplate, sale, Swann Galleries, 9 March 1978, lot 766; Helmut N. Friedlander (1913-2008), book label; bought from Michael Phelps, Cowfold, Sussex, 1998, Catalogue 55, item 89

Tomash & Williams P62, R56, S3; ISTC ij00407000; Sander 6663

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."

Johannes de Sacro Bosco, a thirteenth-century teacher at the University of Paris, composed this tract as an introduction to the rudiments of cosmography; it became the most popular work on the subject, first printed in 1478, and reprinted regularly (see lot 304). This edition is a close copy of the 1485 Ratdolt edition, which also included Peurbach's and Regiomontanus's tracts, but with some additional material in Sacro Bosco's tract. Santritter, an editor and astronomer, had previously worked for Ratdolt, who by this time had moved to Augsburg, so Santritter went into partnership with Hieronymus de Sanctis for the printing of this edition. This is generally considered the first fully illustrated edition. The extensive annotations in this copy show close reading and engagement with the text.