Kepler, Johannes | Harmonices Mundi Libri V, Linz, 1619, first edition, [bound with:] Prodomus dissertationum cosmographicum …, Frankfurt, 1621–1622

Kepler, Johannes

Harmonices Mundi Libri V. Linz: Johannes Planck for Godfried Tampach, 1619

[Bound after:]

Prodomus dissertationum cosmographicum, continens Mysterium cosmographicum. … Item eiusdem Joannis Kepleri pro suo opere Harmonices Mundi apologia adversus demonstrationem … Roberti de Fluctibus, 2 parts. Frankfurt: Erasmus Kempfer for Godfried Tampach, 1621–1622

A remarkable volume containing the first edition of Kepler's famous Harmonices Mundi in which he announced his beautiful third, or harmonic, law of planetary periods. The second, and greatly revised, edition of Prodomus.

The Harmonices mundi announced Kepler's third law, relating the magnitudes of the planetary orbits to their periods of revolution around the sun. Harmonies are conceived as certain geometrical proportions and an attempt is made to bring astronomy, geometry, music, and astrology into one unified system by their application.

This copy has distinguished provenance: the title-page bears the distinctive inkstamp of the library of the Princes of Oettingen-Wallerstein.

Two works in one volume, folio (283 x 190 mm). Prodomus: 4 woodcut and one engraved folding plate; Harmonices mundi: 6 engraved plates, of which 2 full page; lightly browned, one tear cutting into text. Early stiff vellum, manuscript title to spine, green edges; endbands renewed.

REFERENCES

(II) Caspar 58; Dibner, Heralds 6; Grolier/Horblit 58; Printing and the Mind of Man 112; Zinner 4737; (II) Caspar 67, 68; Gingerich, "Rara Astronomica," in Harvard Library Bulletin 20/2 (April 1971), no. 27; Honeyman sale 5:1796; HRC, Kepler 75, 76; Zinner 4871

PROVENANCE

Fürstlich Oettingen-Wallersteinsche Bibliothek (library stamp) — Robert S. Dunham (acquired from F. Thomas Heller in December 1948, pencil acquisition note on front pastedown and loosely inserted bookseller's catalogue note; Sotheby's New York, 11 December 1993, lot 716)