Books and Manuscripts

Coronelli, Vincenzo
Epitome Cosmografica, O Compendiosa Introduttione All'Astronomia, Geografia, & Idrografia…
Cologne (but Venice): Andrea Poletti, 1693. First edition. 8vo. (xxx), 420, 16 pp. Illustrated with an additional engraved title-page and 32 (of 37) engraved plates (one plate with working volvelles), including 30 (of 31) double-page plates and two (of 6) circular folding celestial and terrestrial charts. Contemporary limp vellum, contemporary manuscript title in ink on spine, recased, scattered wear and tears to vellum; all edges trimmed; endpapers renewed; two book-plates on front paste-down ("Bibliotheque du Prince W.C. Czartoryski" and “Z Daru X. Adama Czartoryskiego 1923”); ink stamp “Biblioteka Uniwersytecka we Lwowie” on verso of title-page and final text leaf; front blank and title-page moderately worn and soiled; scattered spotting to text; upper section of first folding chart separated along fold; one double-page plate loose; open tear in upper right of map of Spagna. Houzeau & Lancaster 8006

First edition of influential Italian cosmographer Vincenzo Coronelli's important treatise on astronomy, geography, and globes. This work was based on lectures Coronelli gave before the Accademia Cosmografica degli Argonauti, the world's first geographical society, which he himself founded, in Venice, in 1684. It is divided into three books: the first on astronomy and the points of the compass, the second on geography and natural phenomena, and the third on globes, armillary spheres, and astrolabes. 

Rare when complete, the number of plates within tends to vary by copy.