- 63
Galilei, Galileo.
Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 GBP
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Description
- Dialogo... dove ne i congressi di quattro giornate si discorre sopra i due massimi sistemi del mondo tolemaico, e copernicano. Florence: Giovanni Battista Landini, 1632
- Paper
4to (215 x 164mm.), first edition, engraved frontispiece by Stefano della Bella depicting Aristotle, Ptolemy and Copernicus in discussion surmounted by the Medici arms, woodcut printer's device on title-page, woodcut initials, headpieces and diagrams, with the cancel slip on p.92, contemporary vellum, spine lettered in manuscript, in modern morocco-backed black buckram folding box, frontispiece reattached and with small repaired tear, title-page browned, other occasional slight browning, small paper flaw in G2 with loss of a letter, K4 torn and repaired (affecting text), without final blank, a few small wormholes in binding
Literature
Cinti 89; Norman 858; Riccardi i, 511
Condition
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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
First edition of Galileo's statement and defence of the Copernican system of heliocentrism, which directly led to Galileo's trial for heresy in Rome in 1633. Urban VIII, who had Galileo arrested and had this work placed on the Index of Prohibited Books, thought he was portrayed in the dialogue as Simplicio, the (simple) character who remained steadfast to the geocentric doctrines of Aristotle and Ptolemy, and thereby made fun of; the other two characters were Salviati, who represented the new Copernican stance (Galileo himself), and Sagredo, who showed an amateur interest in the new astronomy (named after a friend of Galileo's, by now deceased).