Lot 111
  • 111

CAVALIERI, DIRECTORIUM GENERALE URANOMETRICUM, 1632

Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Directorium generale uranometricum in quo trigonometriæ logarithmicæ fundamenta, ac regulae demonstrantur, astronomicæque supputationes ad solam ferè vulgarem additionem reducuntur, [etc.] (Catalogus praecipuorum problematum - Tabula trigonomca logarithmica, [etc.]). Bologna: N. Tebaldini, 1632
2 parts in one volume, 4to (213 x 163mm.), large folding letterpress table, woodcut diagrams in text, contemporary carta rustica, "Trigonomae Astronom. Caualerio" written on lower edge, modern folding cloth box, library shelf mark on front free endpaper, title tipped in (slightly shorter and possibly supplied from another copy), some spotting and browning, minor occasional worming, binding slightly worn

Provenance

bought from Martayan Lan, New York, 1987

Literature

Tomash & Williams C48; Henderson pp.60-61 no. 28.0; Riccardi i, 322

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."

Catalogue Note

The appended tables of logarithms of numbers and of trigonometrical functions, based on the Arithmetica Logarithmica of Briggs or Vlacq, are the first logarithmic tables published in Italy. Cavalieri, professor of mathematics at the University of Bologna from 1629, was recommended to Galileo at a young age because of his mathematical ability, and remained in close contact with Galileo in order to communicate his research.

"It was this work that introduced logarithms into Italy, but as it was in Latin, that honor is often given to the author’s later works written in Italian. Besides introducing logarithms, the work deals with spherical triangles, and Cavalieri introduces a new formula for calculating the area of a spherical triangle" (Tomash & Williams).