Nabod, Valentin | Astronomicarum institutionum libri iii, Venice, 1580, first edition, early vellum

Nabod, Valentin

Astronomicarum institutionum libri iii. Venice: Paul Meietus, 1580

First edition. Apparently the earliest Italian imprint to depict and discuss the Copernican system, it is perhaps this work that Galileo encountered as a student at Pisa or a lecturer at Padua. It is difficult to know the full reach of Naibod's work in Italy, but a copy of the first issue was owned by Tycho Brahe, which now forms a part of the Clementinum's collection in Prague.

8vo (145 x 96 mm). Woodcut headpiece, initials, and in-text diagrams; some browning and scattered foxing. Early vellum, edges gilt and gauffered edges gilt; joints cracked but hinges mostly sound, some soiling and rubbing.

PROVENANCE

?-Angelo Lombardi (signature to front free endpaper) — Thomas Cornelius (manuscript leaf; signature to title) — Robert S. Dunham (acquired from Heller in April 1961; Sotheby's, 11 December 1993, lot 657, part)