Galilei, Galileo

Discorso al serenissimo Don Cosimo II. Gran Duca di Toscana Intorno alle cose, che Stanno in sù l'acqua, ò che in quella si muovono. Florence: Cosimo Giunti, 1612 



4to (8 1/8 x 6 in.; 206 x 151 mm). Woodcut Medici device on title, woodcut text diagrams and decorative woodcut initials, woodcut printer's device on last leaf; lower outer corner and fore-margin of title renewed, small repairs on lower outer corner of a few other subsequent leaves and in lower margin of last two quires without loss, small circular stamp on colophon leaf removed, wormtrack in fore-edge of last 3 quires repaired. Contemporary limp vellum, manuscript title on spine, green morocco folding case; recased, endpapers renewed.

Cinti 34; Riccardi I, 509

Discorso al serenissimo Don Cosimo II. Gran Duca di Toscana Intorno alle cose, che Stanno in sù l'acqua, ò che in quella si muovono. Florence: Cosimo Giunti, 1612 4to (8 1/8 x 6 in.; 206 x 151 mm). Woodcut Medici device on title, woodcut text diagrams and decorative woodcut initials, woodcut printer's device on last leaf; lower outer corner and fore-margin of title renewed, small repairs on lower outer corner of a few other subsequent leaves and in lower margin of last two quires without loss, small circular stamp on colophon leaf removed, wormtrack in fore-edge of last 3 quires repaired. Contemporary limp vellum, manuscript title on spine, green morocco folding case; recased, endpapers renewed.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

First edition of Galileo's controversial work on hydrostatics, refuting the Aristotelian notion that the buoyancy of bodies depends upon their shape, and demonstrating the Archimedean theory that flotation is a function of the relative densities of the floating body and its surrounding medium. The work also contains his earliest announcements on sun-spots, the "triple" appearance of Saturn, and the phases of Venus (pp. 3–4). 

This first edition caused such a furor that it was quickly sold out and a second edition appeared the same year (which is more commonly found).