MALVASIA, CORNELIO (1603-1664), MARCHESE.

Ephemerides novissimae motuum coelestium... ad longitudinem urbis Mutinae gr.34.5. Ex Philippi Lansbergii hypothesibus... supputatae... Additis ephemeridibus solis, & tabulis refractionum, ex novissimis hypothesibus doctoris Ioannis Dominici Cassini. Modena: A. Cassiani, impensis authoris, 1662

Condition Note: folio (380 x 260mm.), [24 (including engraved frontispiece)], 220pp., illustration: engraved frontispiece and large folding plate of the moon at end, full-page engraved illustrations in text, binding: eighteenth-century English vellum-backed blue boards, uncut, slight damage in middle of volume to gutter caused by crude sewing

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described in our catalogue. 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. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

LITERATURE AND REFERENCES

Riccardi ii, 77

CATALOGUE NOTE

first edition. Cornelio Malvasia, from Bologna, made his astronomical observations in the private observatory he built over his villa in Panzano, near Modena. Amongst his collaborators was Geminiano Montanari. Malvasia was also interested in astrology. He was deeply interested in Montanari's astronomical activity and did much to foster the talent of the young Cassini, whom he recommended for the chair of astronomy at Bologna University.

The allegorical frontispiece shows a young woman observing Jupiter with a telescope while she paints a coat of arms, which contains the stripes of the planet. In the dedicatory epistle to cardinal Giulio Sacchetti (whose portrait appears on the top of the frontispiece) the author explains that, during his observations, he had observed that the Sacchetti coat of arms is striped like Jupiter, whence a supposed origin of the family from the planet, in honour of the cardinal. In the frontispiece the young woman eventually depicts a coat of arms, with three stripes that go in the reverse direction from those of planet Jupiter, visible in the sky. The engraving is by Francesco Stringa (Modena, 1635-1708), a portrait painter from the school of Guercino, who was the favourite artist at the Este court. He was part of the circle known to the anatomist Malpighi.