Astronomy, scientific instruments.- Danti (Egnazio) Primo volume dell'uso

Astronomy, scientific instruments.- Danti (Egnazio) Primo volume dell'uso et fabbrica dell'astrolabio, et del planisferio, collation: a-b4 A-Z4 2A-2S4, woodcut printer's device to title and recto of final otherwise blank f., woodcut illustrations (some full-page), diagrams, historiated initials and tail-pieces, short neat tear without loss to lower corner of 2F4, spotting or foxing, some staining / water-staining, lightly browned, later front free endpaper, recased in contemporary limp vellum, little stained and marked, contemporary ink manuscript title to lower edge, 4to (209 x 141mm.), Florence, Giunti, 1578. *** Second edition, much enlarged, of this important work on the astrolabe and planisphere. The projected second volume was never published. The woodcut illustration on p.107 showing a woman surveyor using an astrolabe is believed to be the earliest depiction of a woman using a scientific instrument (cf. A.V. Simcock 'The lady and the astrolabe', Bull. Sci. Inst. Soc., 51 (Dec., 1996), pp. 2–3). Danti (1536-1586) was a scientific instrument designer and promoter of mathematical and astronomical studies for the Medicis. Provenance: Nicolas E. Landau (1887–1979) French art dealer, antiquarian, and collector, known as 'le Prince des antiquaires' (bookplate). Literature: Tomash & Williams D3; Riccardi I, 389; EDIT 16 CNCE 16001.

Estimate:£1,500

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