VALLA, Giorgio (1447-1500, translator).
Commentationes. In Ptolomei quadripartitum inque Ciceronis partitiones [et] Tusculanas questiones ac Plinij Naturalis historie librum secundu[m]. Venice: Simon Bivilaqua, 1502.
Rare first edition of a commentary on Ptolemy’s influential astronomical treatise, Tetrabiblos. Valla was a professor of classical languages at Venice, specialising in Greek scientific literature, and formed a splendid library which was acquired by Alberto Pio. The Commentationes was translated by Valla into Latin from an anonymous manuscript, the Greek original of which was not published until 1559. Adams V-151.
Folio (293 x 203mm). Several astronomical woodcuts in the text (first leaf slightly soiled, a few faint marginal stains). 18th-century mottled half sheep over boards, spine gilt (minor wormholes). Provenance: Jesuit College, Bologna (inscription) – ‘Co. Riccati’ (18th-century bookplate of the Riccati family, which included the mathematicians Jacopo Riccati (1676-1754) and his son Vincenzo Riccati (1707-1775)) – erasure on title.
VALLA, Giorgio (1447-1500, translator).
Commentationes. In Ptolomei quadripartitum inque Ciceronis partitiones [et] Tusculanas questiones ac Plinij Naturalis historie librum secundu[m]. Venice: Simon Bivilaqua, 1502.
Rare first edition of a commentary on Ptolemy’s influential astronomical treatise, Tetrabiblos. Valla was a professor of classical languages at Venice, specialising in Greek scientific literature, and formed a splendid library which was acquired by Alberto Pio. The Commentationes was translated by Valla into Latin from an anonymous manuscript, the Greek original of which was not published until 1559. Adams V-151.
Folio (293 x 203mm). Several astronomical woodcuts in the text (first leaf slightly soiled, a few faint marginal stains). 18th-century mottled half sheep over boards, spine gilt (minor wormholes). Provenance: Jesuit College, Bologna (inscription) – ‘Co. Riccati’ (18th-century bookplate of the Riccati family, which included the mathematicians Jacopo Riccati (1676-1754) and his son Vincenzo Riccati (1707-1775)) – erasure on title.
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