Metius, Adriaan | Three scarce works on navigation and astronomy

Metius, Adriaan

De genuino usu utriusque globi tractatus. Franeker: Uldricus Balck, 1624 [bound with:] Mensura geographica. Franeker: Balck, [1624] [and:] Praxis nova geometrica. Franeker: Balck, 1623

3 works in one vol., 4to (188 x 150 mm). Woodcut vignettes to titles, folding engraved plate, woodcuts and diagrams; scattered marginal dampstaining, marginal loss to fore-edge of Dd2 where leather tab has been removed, contemporary leather tab to end of second work, title of third work browed. Contemporary stiff vellum, manuscript paper label to spine; lightly stained, spine label torn with loss, lacking ties, rear joint strengthened. Housed in a half green morocco clamshell.

A collection of scarce works on navigation and astronomy. Adriaan Metius, who came from a family well-established in the field of mathematics and surveying, worked for Tycho Brahe at Hven from 1594 but had gone by 1596. As a successful teacher in Franeker of technical subjects, he published a number of works, of which his De genuino usu utriusque globi tractatus and Mensura geographica describe the use of celestial globes in navigation; the third work, Praxis nova geometrica, describes triangulation.

REFERENCES:

Houzeau and Lancaster 2820 (1st work only)

PROVENANCE:

Pharrhoff Smindt (title inscription) — Giancarlo Beltrame (his sale, Christie's London, 26 April 2017, lot 150)