- 529
Le Fèvre d'Étaples, Jacques, and Jordanus Nemorarius
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- In hoc opere contenta Arithmetica decem libris demonstrata. Musica libris demonstrata quatuor. Epitome in Libros arithmeticos divi Severini Boetij. Rithmimachie ludus qui et pugna numerorum appellatur. Paris: Henri Estienne, 7 September 1514.
- Paper
4 works in one volume, 72 leaves, folio (c.28.5 x 20cm), title within an elaborate woodcut border with angels, some full-page woodcut diagrams, with many others throughout (some as side-notes), and one diagram on a chequerboard, modern quarter vellum boards, ownership inscription in ink to title ("Jos Antonii Magini"), bookplate and stamps of Alfred Cortot, a good tall copy, with minor staining to margins
Literature
Gregory & Bartlett, ii, 59-60; RISM Écrits, p.492; Adams J324; Renouard, p.16 (4)
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
Rare:we can trace only three copies at auction during the past fifty years.
This is the second edition of Musica libris demonstrata quatuor by Le Fèvre d'Étaples (or Faber Stapulensis, 1455-1536), preceded in this volume with Le Fèvre's own version of Jordanus's thirteenth-century "Arithmetica" (ie with his commentaries). Lefèvre accordingly treats music in both treatises as a branch of Mathematics, after the manner of Boethius, but includes some advanced musical calculations: he establishes the true size of the semitone, involving a calculation accurate to thirty-three digits.