Cosmographia Petri Apiani, per Gemmam Frisium.

4to: [4]-74 ff., 1 folding woodcut map, with numerous astronomical and geographical woodcuts in the text, 4 volvelles (error in pagination, ms. ownership entry on title-page cut out and neatly repaired with sm. loss of parts of a few letters).

Mod. vellum.

Copiously illustrated reissue of the Gaultherot Paris edition (1551) of Peter Apian’s (1495-1552) greatest work, with corrections and additions by the Leuven professor Gemma Frisius (1508-1555). This highly influential treatise provided instruction in astronomy, geography, cartography, navigation, and instrument-making. Engr.: woodcut celestial sphere on the title-page, 43 woodcuts in the text, 2 pages of eclipse diagrams, a folding woodcut cordiform world map (1st ed.: "Apian 1") bound at the end of the volume and 4 volvelles with movable parts. The volvelles of this copy conform to the Harvard copy described by Mortimer: “Four of these illustrations are volvelles with a total of eleven printed pieces attached, and a fifth cut has string attached.” (Mortimer, p. 35). This groundbreaking work includes Gemma Frisius's famous 1533 diagram introducing the idea of triangulation into the science of surveying. It also owes its success to its discussion of the newly discovered lands in the New World and the volvelles which enabled one to solve practical mathematical problems relating to time-telling, the calendar, and astronomy and astrology.
Ref. Van Ortroy (Gemma) 23. - Mortimer, French, n. 27. - Houzeau and Lancaster 2392. - Shirley, The Mapping of the World, 82. - Adams A-1281. - Pettegree FB 53591. - Not in STC French.