Beschreibung:

APIANUS, Petrus (Pieter Bienewitz, 1495-1552) and Reiner GEMMA FRISIUS (1508-1555). Cosmographia, sive descriptio universi orbis . - GEMMA FRISIUS. Usus annuli astronomici - De radio astronomico & geometrico liber . - De astrolabo catholico liber . [And other tracts by various authors, edited by Gemma Frisius]. Antwerp: Joannis Withagius for Jean Bellère, 1584. 4 o (238 x 162 mm). Roman and italic types; single and double column. Large title woodcut of a globe, folding woodcut world map after Frisius (Shirley 96), numerous astronomical and geographical woodcut illustrations and diagrams in text, those on pp. 20, 25, 65 and 189 with volvelles as called for by van Ortroy, that on p. 23 with string pointer. Historiated and floriated woodcut initials from several sets. (Upper blank corner of H3 torn, occasional very slight discoloration, lacking final blank.) Contemporary limp vellum, stubs of two fore-edge ties. Provenance : Peter Schenckern (inscriptions at front and at end, the second stating that the book was bound by Albertus Cola on 18 September [15]96); Harrison D. Horblit (booklabel; sale, Part I, Sotheby's London, 10 June 1974, lot 45). One of numerous 16th-century editions of Apianus' popular geographical and astronomical treatise, in the enlarged and modified version of his student, the globe- and instrument-maker Gemma Frisius, first published in 1529 and further enlarged in 1530. Gemma's most important contribution is the chapter entitled "Libellus de locorum describendorum ratione," which contains the earliest description of triangulation as a means of accurate surveying and mapping. The present edition contains three treatises by Gemma describing astronomical instruments of his own invention. A FINE COPY. Adams A-1286; Alden and Landis 584/2; van Ortroy 59.