Protomathesis: opus uarium, ac scitu non minus utile quam iucundum, nunc primum in lucem foeliciter excusum.

Folio: [8]-207 (= 209)-[1] ff. (incl. original blanks 48 & 100, and Errata f. at end; some minor soiling, spotting or staining, tear in f. 1 repaired, some sm. repairs to endlvs).

Contemp. limp vellum, flat spine titled in ink (sl. wrinkled, ties gone). Excellent unsophisticated copy in its 1st (?) binding.

First collected edition, containing the original publ. of many of Fine’s texts. The 1st 2 parts of the "Protomathesis" deal with arithmetic and geometry, the 3rd with cosmography, and the 4th with gnomonics. Woodcut illustrations: large woodcut of Urania & the author beneath a celestial sphere (facing f. 1r, without name), repeated in the "Cosmographia" section (f. 101v, with name "Orontius"); large woodcut of a water-clock, repeated; 280 other ill. in the text and numerous large initials & headpieces. Fine (1494-1555) was Regius professor of mathematics and dedicated the volume to François I. He published on a range of topics, and was interested in practical concerns as well as abstract debates, so while he is remembered for theoretical achievements, such as giving the value of pi correct to four significant figures, he also worked extensively with instruments and maps. Fine represented Renaissance mathematical culture, encompassing geometry, surveying, optics, cosmography, cartography, and astronomy. Part title of "De geometria" dated 1530, of "De solaribus horologiis" 1531. Title within architectural woodcut border by Lassere after Fine’s design. Dedication f. AA2r printed within woodcut border (with monogram "O F"). Woodcut mark at the end.
Ref. Moreau IV:417. - Smith (Rara arithmetica) 160-161. - Mortimer (French) 225. - Adams F-477. - Houzeau/Lancaster 2380.