Vitellionis ... Peri optikes, id est de natura, ratione, & proiectione radiorum uisus, luminum, colorum atq[ue] formarum, quam uulgo perspectiuam vocant, libri X. . .
by WITELO
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Sherman Oaks, California, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Norimbergæ: Apud Io. Petreium, 1535. FIRST EDITION. Title in red and black with large woodcut, full-page woodcut arms on recto of second leaf, numerous woodcut illustrations throughout text. First 4 numbered leaves (following preliminaries) are in facsimile on old paper. Full blindstamped calf in an antique style. Overall a fine copy. First edition of the earliest treatise on optics written by a European. An extremely rare work, the text of which is derived from the optics of Abu al-Hasan (Alhazen). It contains not only a summary of all that was known on optics to the ancients and to Alhazen, but also some original investigations. Divided into nine books, Witelo first sets forth a number of geometrical theorems providing the mathematical principles required for the optical demonstrations of the remaining books. He details the essential features of optical systems, including the theory of theory of the nature of light and the propagation of light or visible forms. In addition to the nature of radiation, light and color in straight or refracted lines, and the treatment of images in various mirrors, a portion of the book deals with the physiology of vision.
Very little is known of Witelo (ca. 1230-ca. 1275) other than he was born in Poland. This book, important as a source of Greco-Arabian theories on optics, had a great deal of influence on future investigators throughout all ages, including Regiomontanus and Da Vinci, Maurolico, Tycho Brahe, Galileo and Descartes. Indeed, Kepler based his entire study of optics upon it.
Very little is known of Witelo (ca. 1230-ca. 1275) other than he was born in Poland. This book, important as a source of Greco-Arabian theories on optics, had a great deal of influence on future investigators throughout all ages, including Regiomontanus and Da Vinci, Maurolico, Tycho Brahe, Galileo and Descartes. Indeed, Kepler based his entire study of optics upon it.
Reviews
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Bookseller
- Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 14485
- Title
- Vitellionis ... Peri optikes, id est de natura, ratione, & proiectione radiorum uisus, luminum, colorum atq[ue] formarum, quam uulgo perspectiuam vocant, libri X. . .
- Author
- WITELO
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- FIRST EDITION
- Publisher
- Apud Io. Petreium
- Place of Publication
- Norimbergæ
- Date Published
- 1535
- Keywords
- optics, light, mathematics, 16th century, history of science, german imprints
Terms of Sale
Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts
Biblio member since 2009
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:
- 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...
- Leaves
- Very generally, "leaves" refers to the pages of a book, as in the common phrase, "loose-leaf pages." A leaf is a single sheet...
- Facsimile
- An exact copy of an original work. In books, it refers to a copy or reproduction, as accurate as possible, of an original...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Calf
- Calf or calf hide is a common form of leather binding. Calf binding is naturally a light brown but there are ways to treat the...
- Recto
- The page on the right side of a book, with the term Verso used to describe the page on the left side.