Proclo - In primum Euclidis elementorum - 1560

Proclus Diadochus/Euclid In primum Euclidis elementorum librum commentariorum Padua - 1560 - Gratiosus Perchacinus (16), 272, (24) p. In folio - 31 X 21 cm. - “The First Contribution to the History of Mathematics”. (DSB). The very first rare complete edition in Latin of Proclus’ (412/485 A.D.) important commentary on the first book of Euclid’s Elements. ADAMS P-2138 BRUNET IV-895 MORTIMER, Italiano 403 “A milestone for both the history of geometry and the philosophy of mathematics.” Text translated into Latin for the first time by Francesco Barozzi, humanist, mathematician and astronomer. His translation provides a text substantially more complete and correct than the Greek editio princeps printed in Basel in 1533, inserting geometric figures and explanatory notes (scholia), and being based on higher-quality manuscripts. Barozzi completed the translation of the present text at the age of only 22, after having already given a lecture on Sacrobosco’s ‘Sphaera’ at the University of Padua in 1559. He was condemned as a wizard by the Inquisition in 1587 for having provoked torrential rains in his native city of Crete. DSBI p. 468 Proclus’ commentary is one of the most valuable historical sources we possess on the development of Greek geometry before Euclid, because it cites works and mathematicians of Classical Greece, whose original writings have been entirely lost. It contains a splendid cataloged portrait of Barozzi, preserved in such pristine condition, in only a few copies worldwide, as it was often removed because Barozzi, as already noted, was tried by the Inquisition in 1587 for witchcraft-astrology. Consequently owning his portrait was dangerous and it was frequently torn from the text and removed. With a very beautiful woodcut on the title page depicting Mars and Minerva disembowling an eagle, and with a Greek inscription: “Gift of Hermes and gift of Athena”. Elegant and precious modern binding in Renaissance style, full blind-tooled calf. Perfect condition. Excellent interior condition as well, with fresh, clean, and crisp sheets (excellent paper quality). The portrait and the numerous diagrams and woodcut vignettes that adorn the text are intact and perfectly preserved. The title page is also intact, with only a few small, light spots, and the colophon. Modern flyleaves. A superb and irreplaceable copy, in such pristine condition, and complete. BOUND. COMPLETE

Estimate:£5,106.01

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