TARTAGLIA, GENERAL TRATTATO DEI NUMERI, VENICE, 1556-1560, 2 VOLUMES, CONTEMPORARY VELLUM

6 parts in 2 volumes, folio (287 x 210mm. and 305 x 210mm.), woodcut portrait of Tartaglia on first two title-pages and at end of preliminaries of parts 3-6, woodcut printer's device on all title-pages, woodcut arms of the dedicatees (Richard Wentworth in first part, Daniele d'Anna in third part, Camillo Martinengo in fourth part, Sforza Pallavicino in fifth part, Girolamo Martinengo in sixth part), woodcut initials, woodcut diagrams and illustrations (some marginal), contemporary vellum with exposed sewing supports, title lettered in manuscript on both covers, chaining holes at foot of both front covers, modern folding cloth boxes, first quire in volume 1 supplied from another copy, marginal text on A3 and Aa4 shaved at foredge, occasional light staining (in particular at foot at the end of part 2), part 2 cut close at head (some headlines shaved), spines defective at head and foot, joints cracked, lacking 2 pairs of ties, new endleaves at end of volume 2

Olivetan monastery of Monte Morcini, Perugia, library stamps on A1 of volume 1 and elsewhere, and inscription on Y4v of part 2 and at end of part 2 (their library, founded in the 14th century, was merged with the University of Perugia in 1810 following a Napoleonic decree, though some books were returned to the Olivetans by Pius VII a few years later); bought from Libreria Mediolanum, Milan, 1988

Tomash & Williams T9; Edit16 31550; Hoock & Jeannin T3.1; USTC 858112; Van Egmond pp.345-346

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."

FIRST EDITION of Tartaglia's grand mathematical compendium comprising all aspects of arithmetic, including commercial transactions, surveying, gauging and theoretical questions. Tartaglia also took the opportunity to denigrate in print his fellow mathematicians Girolamo Cardano and Ludovico Ferrari whom Tartaglia claimed had plagiarised his work.