- 209
STOEFFLER, ELUCIDATIO FABRICAE USUSQUE ASTROLABII, OPPENHEIM, 1513, MODERN HALF VELLUM
Estimate
3,000 - 4,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Elucidatio fabricae ususque astrolabii... atque totius spherice doctissimo nuper ingeniose concinnata atque in lucem edita. Oppenheim: (Jacob Köbel), 1513 (1512)
FIRST EDITION, folio (264 x 202mm.), title within woodcut border, woodcut initials, woodcut illustrations (some full page), some with printed extensions slips (B3v, C4v with 3, D3r with 2, D4r (in wrong place), woodcut printer's device at end, modern half vellum lettered in black ink on spine, library stamp erased from foot of title-page, repaired tear to first 2 leaves, lacking extension slips on A6v, G2 partly detached, a few leaves at end strengthened in gutter
Provenance
Harrison D. Horblit (1912-1988), booklabel; bought from H.P. Kraus, New York, 1988, Catalogue 168, item 82; Erwin Tomash, booklabel
Literature
Benzing, Köbel, 27; Tomash & Williams S197; USTC 649878; VD16 S9191; Zinner 991
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, 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
The first German book on astrolabes, produced on the first press established in Oppenheim. "Handsomely illustrated and with detailed instructions both for the construction and use of an astrolabe, this early work set the standards and provided material for a host of imitators" (Owen Gingerich). Stoeffler, professor of mathematics at Tübingen, also achieved fame for calculating fifty years of ephemerides; he was the teacher of Sebastian Münster, Johann Schöner, and Georg Rheticus. Benzing attributed the woodcuts to the Master DS.