Galla, Giulio Cesare la | De phoenomenis in orbe lunae novi telescopii usu a D. Gallileo Gallileo …, Venice, 1612, first edition of a rare work from the outset of the Galilean controversy

Galla, Giulio Cesare la 

De phoenomenis in orbe lunae novi telescopii usu a D. Gallileo Gallileo nunc iterum suscitatis, physica disputatio. Venice: Thomas Balionus, 1612

First edition of a rare work from the outset of the Galilean controversy.

La Galla, a professor of philosophy at Collegio Romano, had the opportunity to try Galileo's newly presented innovation of the telescope in Rome in 1611. La Galla does not critique the instrument's technical capabilities, but he struggled to accept that the moon has an irregular surface. We have been able to trace just one other copy at auction since 1932.

4to (220 x 156 mm). Large woodcut device to title, woodcut headpiece and decorative initials, woodcut printer's device to verso of final leaf, numerous in-text woodcut tables; lacking folding table. Modern stiff vellum.

PROVENANCE

Robert S. Dunham (acquired from H. P. Kraus in 1949, pencil acquisition note to front pastedown; Sotheby's New York, 11 December 1993, lot 687 [part])

REFERENCES

USTC 4029350; BL STC 17th-century Italian Books I, p. 463