RHETICUS, CANON DOCTRINAE TRIANGULORUM, LEIPZIG, 1551, MODERN CALF

FIRST EDITION, 4to (213 x 142mm.), 12 ff., printed in red and black, title with woodcut printer's device of an obelisk, modern calf with gilt fleurons, cut close with edges of tables shaved

bought from Simon Finch, London, 1998

Tomash & Williams R80; Burmeister, Rhetikus VI.38; USTC 617832; VD16 J272 (listing 6 copies)

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."

RARE. The tables in the first eight leaves contain the first publication of all six trigonometric functions, designed to serve as an introduction to Rheticus' planned larger work on triangles, which was finally published in 1596 (see lot 566). The final four leaves of text contain a humanist dialogue between Hospes (a guest) and Philomathes, who represents Matthias Stojus, a pupil of Rheticus who also wrote the verse preface to this work (signed "Philomathes" in Greek). They discuss the importance of the geometry of triangles, in particular with reference to Copernicus, whose astronomical work Rheticus considers perfect.