Lot 500
  • 500

PARIS, SCALA D'ARACELI MOLTIPLICATA, ROME, 1652

Estimate
300 - 500 GBP
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Description

  • Scala d’Araceli moltiplicata. Rome: Ignazio Lazzari, 1652
4to (178 x 120mm.), letterpress folding plate showing the working of a sum, later calf-backed boards, vellum corners, spine gilt, speckled edges, new endpapers, folding table laid down and repaired at verso, some spotting and browning, occasional worming, binding slightly worn

Provenance

Charles Turner (1886-1973), his bequest to Keele University (deaccessioned in 1998), bookplate; bought from Simon Finch, London, 2000

Literature

Tomash & Williams P16; Hill, Turner Collection, p.173 (this copy, see provenance); Riccardi i, 246

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

First and only edition of this extremely rare arithmetical work. "This is a curious work based on a geometric series. Beginning with the number 1, Paris doubles it 124 times to produce a large table of the powers of 2. He then sums these powers to obtain a number of 38 digits. The body of the text is a curious commentary on these numbers" (Tomash & Williams).