Lot 178
  • 178

BASSANTIN, ASTRONOMIQUE DISCOURS, LYON, 1557, CONTEMPORARY LIMP VELLUM

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • [Astronomique discours. Lyon: Jean de Tournes, 1557]
  • ink, paper and vellum
folio (407 x 300mm.), ruled in red, woodcut initials and illustrations with a total of 35 (of 36) volvelles on 13 leaves (that on n3v with 4 volvelles, B2v with 1, C1v with 2, C3r with 3, C4r with 1, D1r with 3, D3v with 4, D2v with 4, D4v with 4, E2r with 3, E3r with 4, F3v with 1, H1 with 1), contemporary limp vellum with arabesque centrepiece, incomplete at beginning and end (lacking 28 text leaves, a-d4, e1, and L-N4, all supplied in facsimile on old paper including volvelle on M3v, and lacking final blank N4), some retaining discs replaced, occasional staining, D2 and D3 transposed, C1 repaired at head, C4 repaired at edges, small hole in E1 repaired with some words supplied in facsimile, new endpapers and pastedowns, resewn and recased; sold not subject to return

Literature

Cartier, de Tournes 357; Houzeau & Lancaster 2592; Mortimer, Harvard French 47

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."

Catalogue Note

FIRST EDITION. "The size of this volume and the extent of its illustration and ornamentation make this an unusually fine example of the attention given to the printing of scientific works of the period" (Mortimer, p. 64). Bassantin (or Bassendyne) was a Scottish astronomer who settled in France. The woodcuts are derived from those in Apianus's Astronomicum Caesareum (1540), and it similarly describes astronomy and planetary motion. The number of volvelles varies from copy to copy, but it is generally accepted that there should be 36 in total (though the Honeyman catalogue opined that there should be 38). This copy, though textually incomplete, does contain all but one of the woodcuts with volvelles.