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Two parts in one volume. Folio (370 x 247 mm). [14], xii, 374 [2]; [8], 35 [1], 128 pp. Text printed in two columns, general title printed in red and black and with large engraved armorial device, woodcut device on each of both part titles, 2 fine engraved double-page lunar maps by Domenico Fontana after Francesco Maria Grimaldi, woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, several woodcut diagrams (some full-page) within text, with blank leaf 3A4. Signatures: [pi]1 [cross]6 [paragraph]6 A-3A4, a4 A-T4 V6. Contemporary calf, spine with 5 raised bands, faint gilt-lettering and -tooling, boards with blind-tooled decorative border and ruling, red-dyed edges (hinges split but cords holding, some rubbing and light soiling). Text generally crisp and bright, one leaf with small burn spots, very light dampstaining towards upper corner of a few leaves, leaf 2M2 with torn upper corner not affecting text (paper flaw?), 22 leaves with wormtrack in blank fore-margin (just touching text field and affecting ruled border of 2 illustrations). Provenance: Peter and Margarete Braune (bookplate on front pastedown). A fine, clean and untouched copy. ---- Norman 1827; Riccardi I (2); Houzeau-Lancaster 9230; Sommervogel VI, 1801 no. 9; DSB XI, p.411. RARE FIRST EDITION of this anti-Copernican work by a Jesuit astronomer which seeks to prove the immobility of the earth. "This work, which the author thought of as a third part of his Almagestum Novum, contains a valuable collection of observations. It is composed of a series of specialized treatises of the different bodies of the solar system and the fixed stars" (Houzeau-Lancaster). Riccioli noted the colored bands parallel to the equator of Jupiter and published his observations of the phases of Saturn. He knew of Huygen's Systema Saturnium, but disagreed with Huygen's ring theory. Most of the Tabular material in the second volume was the work of his student Francesco Maria Grimaldi" (Norman). - Visit our website for additional images and information. Seller Inventory # 003208
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