RHETICUS, OPUS PALATINUM DE TRIANGULIS...L. VALENTINUS OTHO CONSUMMAVIT, NEUSTADT, 1596

FIRST EDITION, folio (377 x 225mm), 6 parts in one volume, final blank, title within an architectural engraved border, numerical tables, some printed in red and black, woodcut diagrams, device at the end of the 3rd part ("Neostadii in Palatinu. Excudebat Matthaeus Harnisus"), contemporary blind-stamped pigskin over wooden boards, title stained and trimmed at foredge, stamp erased, a few wormholes including to title and final four leaves, first 20 leaves of the first part affected by damp (with staining and a few holes), without 3 blank leaves, binding slightly worn, lacking clasps

bought from Jonathan Hill, New York, 1995

Tomash & Williams R81; VD16 J 278, VD16 ZV 18220; USTC 679854

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."

The mathematician and astronomer Georg Rheticus was the only pupil of Nicolaus Copernicus, whose De revolutionibus he helped publish. His major work was on the study of triangles, culminating in this comprehensive set of tables to be used in angular astronomical measurements; it also includes the first use of the word "cosecant". It was completed and published after his death by Valentin Otho (c.1545-1603). The tables were accurate enough to be used in astronomical computation into the early twentieth century.