Item Summary

Descriptive Information

Title
Astronomicum Cæsareum.
Call Number
72.3
Identifier
ark:/88435/dc3n204c569
Publisher
[Ingolstadt] : Factum et actum Ingolstadii in ædibus nostris [Peter Apian], Anno a Christo nato sesquimillesimo quadragesimo mense Maio [May 1540].
Language
Latin
Date Created
1540-1541
Extent
[60] leaves : ill., coats of arms ; 47.5 x 34.5 cm. (fol.)
Provenance
WHS copy inscribed on title page 'Zur guten gedechtnuss hab ich diss buchinn die kirch und schul alhir zu Sar-pricken verehret / den 16 Maij anno 1614. Johan Von Vetman Nassau Sarpr: Stallmeister.'
WHS copy inscribed on title page 'Diss hab ich Laurentius von Sayenauss der Kirche zu 28 gl— [i.e. Gulden?] gekaufet.'
WHS copy stamped on title page 'Duplum Bibliothecae E.M.S.' (i.e. Duplicate of the Library of the Diocese of Esztergom (Strigonium) [Eccl. Metr. Strigon]).
WHS copy inscribed on title page 'Hatvany Antonia 1918 iii / 17.'
WHS copy acquired 7/1/68 from Geoffrey Steele.
References
Grässe 1: p. 160.
Stillwell, M.B. Science, 19.
Kramer, I.E. Die wunderbare Neue Welt, 540/1.
Ortroy, F. van Bib. de l'oeuvre de Pierre Apian, 112.
Houzeau & Lancaster 2400.
Freitag, R.S. Halley's Comet, 76.
Rights Statement
Copyright Not Evaluated
Notes
Author's name given at head of fol. [3] recto (=A3 recto) as: Apianus.
Illustrated title page, with two woodcuts, one a frame surrounding the title, the other circular, with printed text on bottom left and right.
Reference in title is to Emperor Charles V to whom and his brother, King Ferdinand I, this work is dedicated.
Imprint from colophon, printed in reverse (mirror image).
Signatures: A-G⁴(±G2, G3+chi1) H-I⁴ k⁴ L-N⁴ O⁶ (-O6) chi2-chi3 (chi2 verso, chi3 verso blank).
38 full page text illustrations, 22 of them with volvelles (moving discs), many also with centrally attached silk threads. Volvelles are foundon the recto of leaves B3, C1, C3, D1, D3, E1, E2, E4, F2, F3, F4, chi1, G4, k3, k4, L1, L2, L3, L4, M1 and M3 and the verso of leaf G3. Additionally, a large number of smaller text illustrations are present.
"Without doubt ... the most luxurious and intrinsically beautiful scientific book that has ever been produced" -- Derek de Solla Price.
Fol. [60] recto (=chi3 recto) dated: Ratisbona, die vigesima quarta mensis Iulii, Anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo quadragesimo primo [Regensburg, 24 July 1541] and signed: Carolus. This leaf is lacking in many copies.
Cf. Price, D. de S. Science, 1967 p. 104; Gingerich, O. "Early astronomical books with moving parts", AB Bookman's Weekly p. 1507-1508, October 23, 1989.
Includes index.
Text divided into two parts; the second part has two alternative titles: Meteoroscopium planum Apiam (fol. [49] recto = M4 recto) and: Astronomici cæsarei per Petrum Apianum concinnati pars secunda (fol. [49] verso = M4 verso).
WHS copy lacks last leaf.

Discovery Information

Subject
Charles V Holy Roman Emperor 1500-1558
Ferdinand I Holy Roman Emperor 1503-1564
Astronomy—Early works to 1800
Comets—Early works to 1800

Physical Characteristics

File Count
126

Institutional Information

Collection
Medieval and Renaissance Mediterranean Manuscripts
IIIF Manifest URL

https://figgy.princeton.edu/concern/scanned_resources/93ef079c-2439-4f64-b885-813d4ce9ee11/manifest