HULSIUS, ERSTER [-VIERDTER] TRACTAT DER MECHANISCHEN INSTRUMENTEN, FRANKFURT, 1603-1605, OLD VELLUM

FIRST EDITION, 4 parts in one, small 4to (194 x 142mm.), each with engraved illustration on title and arms on following leaf (in part 1 both are pasted in; in part 2 illustration is inverted), 20 engraved plates, 2 woodcut plates, one printed table, engraved and woodcut illustrations and diagrams, (part 1: 4 folding engraved plates, one woodcut plate, one folding printed table; part 2: folding engraved frontispiece and one engraved plate; part 3: 13 engraved plates, one folding, 8 printed dos-à-dos on 4 leaves, one folding woodcut plate; part 4: one folding engraved plate), part 3 with final blank, old vellum, a few leaves browned or spotted, binding repaired

"Dr. Johanni Friderico Faust ab Aschaffenburg, dedit Johann... Beyer, M.D.", alongside date "1609. 19. 9bris", inscriptions on title; Johannes Jacobus Faust von Aschaffenburg, inscription on verso of lower free endleaf; Christie's South Kensington, 5 July 1995, lot 85, £3,200, Erwin Tomash

Tomash & Williams H183, H182, H184, H187; VD17 23:257299W, VD17 23:257301G (as 1603), VD17 39:119794D, VD17 23:257307C

the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"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."

These treatises describe surveying instruments, gunnery, an adjustable proportional compass and pedometer. The parts are numbered in ink 2-5 at the heads of titles, indicating that another tract has been removed from the binding. The first owner, Johann Friedrich Faust von Aschaffenburg (d. 1619), is infamous for his participation in the controversy over who invented printing, Gutenberg or Johann Fust of Mainz (the latter was claimed as a relation by Faust von Aschaffenberg).