Euclid — Rodrigo Zamarano (trans.) | Euclid’s Elements, the first edition in Spanish

Euclid — Rodrigo Zamarano (trans.)

Los seis libros primeros dela geometria de Euclides. Traduzidos en lengua española por Rodrigo Çamorano. Seville: En Casa de Alonso de la Barrera, 1576

4to (203 x 145 mm). Woodcut arms on title, woodcut geometric designs in text, initials, and tailpiece; light dampstain in lower margin of final 20 leaves not affecting text, several leaves mispaginated. Contemporary limp vellum, vertical manuscript title on spine; ties missing, vellum worn and with a few stains. Quarter red morocco over orange cloth folding box. 

First edition in Spanish of Euclid's geometry.

Euclid’s Elements was first published in Venice in 1482 and has appeared in over a thousand editions. Zamarano’s translations of the first six of thirteen books comprise the first printing of any text by Euclid in Spain, and the only edition of this translation prior to 1999. Rodrigo Zamarano was an astrologer, mathematician, and cosmographer to Philip II. Thomas-Stanford attributes its school-book appearance as evidence of its rarity and compares its worn condition to other copies he examined.

REFERENCES

Adams E1018; Beardsley 95; BL, Pre-1601 Spanish STC p. 74; Catálogo colectivo E903; Duarte, Euclides, Arquimedes, Duarte, Euclides, Arquimedes, Newton pp. 46, 48; Heredia 4494; Honeyman 1011; Palau 84721; Riccardi, Bibliografia euclidea, 1576; Salvá 2570; Steck III, 88; Thomas-Stanford, 16-17, 43

PROVENANCE

Landau Library (bookplate numbered 64704 to front pastedown — sold in our London rooms, 10 April 2002, lot 356)