Galluci, Giovanni Paolo | Theatrum mundi et temporis, Venice, 1588, first edition of the first star atlas with coordinates

Galluci, Giovanni Paolo

Theatrum mundi et temporis. Venice: Giovanni Battista Somasco, 1588

First edition of the first star atlas with coordinates, as well as the first use of Copernican coordinates in an atlas.

There are maps of the eastern and western hemispheres on leaves F1 and F2, the latter containing an early view of America. "There are 48 woodcut maps of the Ptolemaic constellations, each of which is preceded by a catalogue of the included stars identifying position within the constellation, latitude and longitude (in degrees and minutes), magnitude, and nature. … The longitudes on Gallucci's catalog and on his map are those published by Copernicus in De Revolutionibus" (Warner). The constellation figures are extremely lively and original. Theatrum mundi was extremely popular and was reprinted in 1589 and 1603, and the Spanish translation of 1606 appeared in three subsequent editions.

4to (238 x 169 mm). 144 woodcuts, 50 of which with volvelles, errata leaf, a couple of early modern marginal annotations; some or all of the volvelles possibly supplied in facsimile or lacking moveable element(s), without the folding table "Canon Sexagenarius" sometimes added at the end, but with the unsigned leaf showing the constellation Cepheus between 2M4 and 2N1, the title-page a trifle soiled, some light dampstaining, holes in D1 cutting into image titling and costing a bit of text on verso, repair to corner 2O4. Early paneled calf with blind center ornament, spine with raised bands in five compartments; very worn, a couple of wormholes to the binding, endleaves renewed, lacking ties.

REFERENCES

Adams G168; European Americana 588.32; Honeyman sale 4:1423–1424; Houzeau & Lancaster 2725; Riccardi 1.i 568, no 3 1; Thorndike 6:158–159

PROVENANCE

Robert S. Dunham (acquired from F. Thomas Heller in February 1959, pencil acquisition note to front pastedown; Sotheby's New York, 11 December 1993, lot 688)