- 173
FELICIANO, LIBRO DI ARITHMETICA, VENICE, 1526
Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Libro di arithmetica & geometria speculativa & praticale... intitulato Scala gramaldelli, novamente stampato. Venice: Francesco Bindoni and Maffeo Pasini, 1526 (January 1527)
FIRST EDITION, 4to (210 x 145mm.), title within woodcut border, woodcut diagrams, early manuscript annotations in Italian, later vellum, some slight soiling
Provenance
unidentified inkstamp on title (two animals on hind legs drinking from a cup); title-page inscription: Inscrip Catal. Sac. Eliz.i C.i 1703, and shelfmark: G I-45; bought from Martayan Lan, New York, 1990
Literature
Tomash & Williams F30; Edit16 18697; Hoock & Jeannin F3.4; Smith, Rara arithmetica, p.146; USTC 828971 (as 1527); Van Egmond p.311
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
This is author’s second work, in part a revision of Libro de Abaco, first published in 1517. “The title page shows a ladder (scala) and wire hook (gramaldelli) used to pick locks. The verse underneath indicates that just as one needs a ladder to scale a wall and a skeleton key to pick a lock, one needs a book like this to acquire the basic tools of arithmetic. Later editions were often simply known as Scala Grimaldelli” (Tomash & Williams).