Lot 173
  • 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."

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).