Milestones of Science Books

HOLWARDA, J. Phocylides (FOKKENS).

Panselenos ekleiptike diaugazou (graece), id est, Dissertatio astronomica quae occasione ultimi lunaris anni 1638 deliquii manuductio sit ad cognoscendum. I. Statum astronomiae, praaesertim Lansbergianae, II. Novorum phenomenôn exortu[m] & interitum / Epitome astronomiae reformatae, generalis.

Franeker: Idzard Alberts, 1640.

1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Item #002935

[24], 288 pp., woodcut title-vignette and several woodcut illustrations in text [Bound with:] Epitome astronomiae reformatae, generalis. Franeker: Idzard Alberts, 1642. [6], 66 (of 77) pp., lacking the 6-leaves addendum "Additiuncula in momum", woodcut title vignette. Signatures: A-C¹² D⁶ (-D6). Two works in one volume. 12mo (117 x 67 mm). Bound in 18th century mottled calf, spine with 4 raised bands, gilt decoration and gilt-lettered red morocco label, front board with gilt medaillon of Bibliothèque du Dépôt, red-dyed edges. Little browning to text, occasional spotting, second title dust-soiled and browned, dust-soiling of a few further pages of second work, upper margin trimmed close just touching headline of a few pages. Provenance: Bibliothèque du Dépôt général des Cartes et Journaux de la Marine (stamp to second preliminary leaf, spine with the anchor and characteristic fleur-de-lis signets); Imperial Observatory (stamp to first flyleaf). ----
EXCEPTIONALLY RARE FIRST EDITION. "In 1638 Holwarda of Franeker had found that the magnitude of a star in Cetus fluctuated with a periodicity of 11 month; it was named Mira Ceti ('the miraculous one in the Whale')." (DSB VII, p.373). This is a rare and often cited work present in the most important collections of astronomical books. It deals mainly with lunar eclipses and discusses the findings of Lansberge. Dutch astronomer, physicist and philosopher Joannes P. Holwarda (1618-1651) taught philosophy at Franeker University from 1639 until his early death. See Houzeau-Lancaster, 8707 and 7976, A.F.B. Dijkstra, "A Wonderful Little Book: The Dissertatio Astronomica by Johannes Phocylides Holwarda (1618-1651)", in: Centers and Cycles of Accumulation in the Netherlands During the Early Modern Period, Münster, 2011, pp. 73-99). - Visit our website for additional images and information.

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