Novæ ephemerides coelestium motum annorum 40. incipientes anno domini 1581. usq; ad annum1620: secundum . . . Nicolai Copernici hypotheses, prutenicasq[ue] Reinoldi tabulas accuratissime supputat, atq[ue] Gregorian correctioni Romani Kalendarij accommodat . . . ad inclitæ urbis Venetiarum longitudinem
by MAGINI, Antonio
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Sherman Oaks, California, United States
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About This Item
Venice: Damianum Zenarium, 1582. Printers device on title-page and on last verso leaf of colophon. Woodcut borders and charts, text illustrations, diagrams and tables throughout. Each year has a separate title as well as pages dealing variously with the calculations of the movements of celestial bodies, planetary positions, solar and lunar eclipses, festivals, annual revolutions, fixed stars, and much more. Contemporary vellum; text browned with some sections waterstained, still generally, a very good copy from the library of Owen Gingerich with his bookplate. First edition of the Novae ephemerides, the second part of Magini's famous tables to 1620, his first published work containing the rare first ephemerides for the new Gregorian calendar. The first part (Ephemerides coelestium motuum), published the same year, only covered the years through 1600.
In 1588 Magini (1555-1617) was chosen over Galileo to occupy the chair of mathematics at the University of Bologna after the death of Egnatio Danti. He was an outstanding astronomer and a correspondent of Tycho Brahe and Kepler. Indeed, Kepler, who referred to Magini as "summus in professione mathematica vir," invited him to help in the compilation of new astronomical tables (afterwards known as the Rudophine Tables). He made a thorough study of the writings of Copernicus, whose calculations of the celestial movements he considered far more exact than those of his predecessors. However, he defended the Ptolemaic system of astronomy, despite the fact that he did incorporate Copernicus' improvements of planetary theory in this work. Here, Magini insists on much larger diameters for the planets and fixed stars, providing actual figures and calculations. He devised his own planetary theory, in preference to other existing ones. Magini's notions about cosmic sizes were too eccentric to be influential. Yet, they have historical importance because Galileo used them to demonstrate the absurdity of pre-telescopic measurements of sizes of planets and fixed stars. Most historians surmise that Magini's rejection of the Copernican system was based on his fear of the inquisition.
The lunar crater "Maginusis" was named after him.
In 1588 Magini (1555-1617) was chosen over Galileo to occupy the chair of mathematics at the University of Bologna after the death of Egnatio Danti. He was an outstanding astronomer and a correspondent of Tycho Brahe and Kepler. Indeed, Kepler, who referred to Magini as "summus in professione mathematica vir," invited him to help in the compilation of new astronomical tables (afterwards known as the Rudophine Tables). He made a thorough study of the writings of Copernicus, whose calculations of the celestial movements he considered far more exact than those of his predecessors. However, he defended the Ptolemaic system of astronomy, despite the fact that he did incorporate Copernicus' improvements of planetary theory in this work. Here, Magini insists on much larger diameters for the planets and fixed stars, providing actual figures and calculations. He devised his own planetary theory, in preference to other existing ones. Magini's notions about cosmic sizes were too eccentric to be influential. Yet, they have historical importance because Galileo used them to demonstrate the absurdity of pre-telescopic measurements of sizes of planets and fixed stars. Most historians surmise that Magini's rejection of the Copernican system was based on his fear of the inquisition.
The lunar crater "Maginusis" was named after him.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 13309
- Title
- Novæ ephemerides coelestium motum annorum 40. incipientes anno domini 1581. usq; ad annum1620: secundum . . . Nicolai Copernici hypotheses, prutenicasq[ue] Reinoldi tabulas accuratissime supputat, atq[ue] Gregorian correctioni Romani Kalendarij accommodat . . . ad inclitæ urbis Venetiarum longitudinem
- Author
- MAGINI, Antonio
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Publisher
- Damianum Zenarium
- Place of Publication
- Venice
- Date Published
- 1582
- Keywords
- astronomy, ephemerides, 16th century, italian imprints
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About the Seller
Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts
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Sherman Oaks, California
About Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts
Founded in 1970, Rootenberg Rare Books has served a large international clientele of collectors as well as private and public institutions in the acquisition of rare books and manuscripts, and in collection development. We are among the leading specialists in the fields of science, medicine, technology and natural history. We also maintain high quality rare books and manuscripts in diverse subjects including travel and exploration, literary classics, economics and philosophy, Americana, and modern first editions, many inscribed. Our expertise and familiarity with these subjects allows us to acquire and house major collections in these fields. We are dedicated to our customer's specific needs, and look forward to developing long term relationships by keeping you informed about significant materials in your areas of interest. Rootenberg Rare Books consists of three generations: grandmother, father and daughter, and is located minutes from West Los Angeles, near UCLA and the Getty, as well as a second location in Durham, North Carolina. We always welcome visitors, though appointments are suggested. We occasionally issue finely printed and illustrated catalogues as well as specialized subject lists, and are constantly adding existing and new material to our website. We exhibit at several national and international book fairs during the year, represent clients at auction and offer appraisal and other professional services. We are always interested in purchasing single items or entire collections, and would be pleased to consider any materials you wish to sell. Special requests and specific wants will be given particular attention. We are always available, via phone, fax or email, to answer questions, search for a specific title, or provide information on our inventory.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- New
- A new book is a book previously not circulated to a buyer. Although a new book is typically free of any faults or defects, "new"...
- Verso
- The page bound on the left side of a book, opposite to the recto page.
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Colophon
- The colophon contains information about a book's publisher, the typesetting, printer, and possibly even includes a printer's...
- Device
- Especially for older books, a printer's device refers to an identifying mark, also sometimes called a printer's mark, on the...
- Bookplate
- Highly sought after by some collectors, a book plate is an inscribed or decorative device that identifies the owner, or former...