CEULEN, LUDOLPH VAN DE ARITHMETISCHE EN GEOMETRIS, 1615

FIRST EDITION, variant issue (see footnote), folio (294 x 196mm.), woodcut geometrical diagram on title (and not engraved medallion portrait of author), dedication on verso of title to Prince Maurits, woodcut illustrations and initials, contemporary vellum, speckled edges, modern folding cloth box, occasional marginal dampstaining or tears, vellum slightly soiled

bought from De Graaf Antiquarian Booksellers, Nieuwkoop, 1986

Tomash & Williams C57; Hoogendoorn p.197 Ceu05 1.2 (no copy of this issue located); STCN 832448400 

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."

Published posthumously by the author's widow, Adriana Simons. Seven different issues of this first edition are known, each with different preliminaries. Here, the imprint on the title-page is elaborated to record the name of the publisher, Isaac van Waesberghe ("Men vintse te koop tot Rotterdam by Isaack van Waesberghe, by de Marckt in de Fame"), and the dedicatory address (subscribed by Adriana Simons) is to Maurits of Nassau and the States of Holland and West Friesland. The six other issues have identical imprint on title-page ("Tot Leyden, By Ioost van Colster, ende Iacob Marcus, 1615") and a colophon naming a Leiden publisher, Uldrick Cornelissz Honthorst. Their dedications and prefaces differ, being addressed respectively to Maurits of Nassau and the States of Holland and West Friesland; the States of Zeeland; Willem of Nassau and the States of Friesland; Ernest of Nassau and the States of Gelderland; States of the Province of Overijssel; the Superintendents and Councils of the Admiralties of Holland and West Friesland. The title-pages of those six issues are ornamented by an engraved portrait, whereas Van Waesberghe has placed a geometrical woodcut on the title-page of his issue.