Comparing the world systems

GASSENDI, Pierre.

Institutio astronomica iuxta Hypotheses tam veterum quam Copernici & Tychonis: dictata Parisiis a Petro Gassendo [...] accedunt ejusdem varij tractatus astronomici, quorum catalogum pagina versa indicabit. Editio ultima paulò ante mortem authoris recognita. Aucta & emendata.

The Hague: Adrian Vlacq, 1656.

1st Edition. Soft cover. Very Good. Item #003438

4to (220 x 165 mm). [12], 328, [8] pp. Title printed in red and black, engraved author's portrait bound-in facing first text page, numerous woodcut text diagrams (several full page), woodcut initials and headpieces, section title pages within pagination. All pages uncut. Signatures: *⁶ A-Z⁴ Aa-Tt⁴. Contemporary carta rustica, hand-lettered spine label, untouched original endpapers (worming to upper spine affecting spine label, spotting and soiling). Text with even light browning, occasional minor spotting. Provenance: contemporary manuscript inscription to title and final leaf; Stephen White Collection. A fine, unsophisticated copy. ----

Houzeau & Lancaster 9222. EXCEPTIONALLY RARE THIRD AND ENLARGED EDITION OF THIS IMPORTANT COLLECTION OF GASSENDI'S ASTRONOMICAL WRITINGS (second edition of the collection in this form and 3rd edition of the Institutio Astronomica overall). Gassendi's Institutio astronomica, first published in 1647, outlines the various competing models of the cosmos, notably the Ptolemaic, the Copernican, and the intermediate system invented by Tycho Brahe. - Visit our website to see more images!

Price: 6,500 €  *  convert currency