- 83
Scriptores astronomici veteres--Firmicus Maternus, Julius
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
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Description
- Mathesis (De nativitatibus libri VIII) [edited by Franciscus Niger]; Marcus Manilius. Astronomicorum libri V; Aratus. Phaenomena [Latin and Greek, translated by Germanicus Caesar, Marcus Tullius Cicero, Rufius Festus Avienus]; Theon. Commentaria in Aratum [Greek]. Pseudo-Proclus Diadochus [i.e. Geminos]. Sphaera [Greek and Latin, translated by Thomas Linacre]. Venice: Aldus, June & October 1499
- Paper
2 parts in one volume, Super-Chancery folio (313 x 211mm.), 376 leaves, *6 a-g10 h12 aa-hh10 ii-kk8; A-D10 E12 F6 G-M10 N6; N-S10 T8, 39 lines plus headline, roman and Greek type, 3- to 10-line initial spaces with printed guides, woodcut diagrams and illustrations, early annotations by Adrianus (some extensive, particularly in book III of Firmicus Maternus), chapter numbers added in manuscript next to running titles, modern vellum in period style, spine lettered in manuscript, lower corner of almost all leaves repaired
Provenance
"Pro d[omi]no Adriano de dunno [?dinno] Antweprii incolarum Sancti Martini de Wezemale pastore", of the Sint-Martinuskerk in Wezemaal (Flanders), contemporary inscription on title-page; Nicolaus de Paredes, later inscription on title-page
Literature
Goff F191; HC 14559; BMC v 560; Bod-inc F-061; GW 9981; Renouard 20/3; Texas 26-27; UCLA 27; Houzeau & Lancaster 749
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
A copy of Aldus's monumental astronomical publication demonstrating close contemporary reading of Firmicus Maternus's popular astrological treatise, originally written in the fourth century. "Compiled as a handy guide for practitioners of the art, it best represents popular traditions of the previous four centuries" (DSB IV, p.622). This copy shows close reading of book III, which "deals with the thema mundi (the aspect of the heavens at the beginning of the present cosmos) and with the effects of each of the seven planets in the twelve loci" (ibid.).
The annotator gives his name on c10r, next to the "Lolliani genitura" diagram, "... michi Hadriano de Dunno...".