Theodosius, Sphaericorum elementorum libri III, Messina, 1558, modern leather

Theodosius of Bithynia

Sphaericorum elementorum libri III. Ex traditione Marolyci Messanensis mathematici. Menelai sphaericorum lib III [and other works; edited by Francesco Maurolico]. (Messina: Petruccio Spira, August 1558)

4to (263 x 188mm.), title with woodcut of an armillery sphere, woodcut initials, woodcut diagrams in margins, woodcut printer's device beneath colophon, additional line of text added in manuscript at foot of index, a few leaves with foredge folded (to prevent cropping by the binder), i6 and k1 transposed, modern chestnut leather, spine lettered in gilt, a few leaves of manuscript loosely inserted (presumably retained from previous binding), a few woodcut diagrams shaved, G1 shaved at head (affecting headline), staining and worming throughout

Printed in Messina where Maurolico's family had moved to from Greece. Maurolico (1494-1575) sought to restore the state of Greek mathematical texts which he considered to be in a poor condition, resulting in a considerable number of publications on the subject. The text of Theodosius's work on the geometry of the sphere was written in the first-second centuries BC and Menelaus of Alexandria was writing at the end of the first century AD. The Greek text of Theodosius was first printed in Paris in 1558.

LITERATURE:

Edit16 33324

PROVENANCE:

Mario Gaetani Aglioti of Messina, signature on title-page