Institution Astronomique de l’usage des globes et sphères Celestes & terrestres, Comprise en deux parties, L’une, Suivant l’hypothese de Ptolemee, Qui veut que la terre soit immobile ; L’autre, Selon l’intention de N. Copernicus, Qui tient que la terre est mobile.

Amsterdam, chez Jean & Corneille Blaeu, 1642.

4to [192 x 154 mm] of (9) ll., 277 pp., many woodcuts in the text. Overlapping vellum, flat spine with handwritten title, remains of ties. Contemporary binding.

Rare first French edition of this treatise dealing with the use of astronomical instruments.

Graesse, Trésor de livres rares, 435 ; Stevenson, Terrestrial and Celestial globes, p. 223.

The first edition was published in Dutch in 1620 in 8vo format.

The work, published by Jean and Corneille Bleau, the sons of Guillaume Blaeu, is divided into two parts, the first one based on Ptolemy's theory, the second one on Copernicus's study, following the arrangement of Galileo's Dialogo.

We find here the way to draw dials.

"The master globe-maker authored the 'Institution Astronomique' so that his customers might get the most out of his celestial and terrestrial globes. Blaeu gives a detailed explanation of the various parts of a globe, followed by a series of nearly 150 exercises. By positioning the terrestrial globe as Blaeu directs, it is a simple matter to determine the time in different parts of the world. There are exercises for both the celestial globe and the terrestrial globe."

Willem Jansoon Blaeu (1571-1638), a Dutch astronomer and mathematician, is famous for having perfected cartography. He founded his own printing house in Amsterdam and was able to publish his own works. His sons, Johan and Cornelis, pursued his work.

" This work gave accounts of the opposing Ptolemaic and Copernican systems of the planets, as Blaeu thought the Ptolemaic system was still a useful introduction to the topic. Blaeu had worked on the island of Hven with Tycho Brahe and was a firm adherent to the Copernican system. It should be remembered that Galileo was condemned for his Copernican stance just the previous year, but Blaeu, publishing his works in the Protestant Netherlands, was not subject to the prohibitions of the Roman Catholic authorities".

The present edition is illustrated with 34 woodcuts in the text, geometric and astronomical figures.

A precious copy, very fresh, of this important scientific work, preserved in its authentic contemporary overlapping vellum binding.

Provenance: ex-libris Samuel O. Hoffman and Pierre Duhem.

Français

Amsterdam, chez Jean & Corneille Blaeu, 1642.

In-4 de (9) ff., 277 pp., nombreux bois gravés dans le texte. Vélin à recouvrement, dos lisse avec le titre manuscrit, restes de lanières. Reliure de l'époque.

192 x 154 mm.

Rare édition originale française de ce traité sur l'utilisation des différents instruments d'astronomie.

Graesse, Trésor de livres rares, 435 ; Stevenson, Terrestrial and Celestial globes, p. 223.

L'édition originale fut publiée en hollandais en 1620 au format in-8.

L'ouvrage, publié par Jean et Corneille Blaeu, les fils de Guillaume Blaeu, est divisé en deux parties, la première se basant sur la théorie de Ptolémée, la seconde sur l'étude de Copernic, suivant en cela l'arrangement du Dialogo de Galilée.

On y trouve la manière de tracer les cadrans.

" The master globe-maker authored the 'Institution Astronomique' so that his customers might get the most out of his celestial and terrestrial globes. Blaeu gives a detailed explanation of the various parts of a globe, followed by a series of nearly 150 exercises. By positioning the terrestrial globe as Blaeu directs, it is a simple matter to determine the time in different parts of the world. There are exercises for both the celestial globe and the terrestrial globe."

Willem Jansoon Blaeu (1571-1638), astronome et mathématicien hollandais, est célèbre pour avoir perfectionné la cartographie. Il fonda sa propre imprimerie à Amsterdam et put y publier ses travaux. Ses fils, Johan et Cornelis, poursuivirent son oeuvre.

" This work gave accounts of the opposing Ptolemaic and Copernican systems of the planets, as Blaeu thought the Ptolemaic system was still a useful introduction to the topic. Blaeu had worked on the island of Hven with Tycho Brahe and was a firm adherent to the Copernican system. It should be remembered that Galileo was condemned for his Copernican stance just the previous year, but Blaeu, publishing his works in the Protestant Netherlands, was not subject to the prohibitions of the Roman Catholic authorities".

La présente édition est illustrée de 34 bois gravés dans le texte, figures géométriques et astronomiques.

Précieux exemplaire d'une grande fraicheur de cet important ouvrage scientifique, conservé dans son authentique reliure en vélin à recouvrement de l'époque.

Provenance : ex-libris Samuel O. Hoffman et Pierre Duhem.

Pierre Duhem (1861-1916) était un physicien, chimiste, historien des sciences et épistémologue français.