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Details
BASSANTIN, Jacques (James Bassandyne, fl. 1550s-1560s). Astronomique discours. Lyons: Jean de Tournes, 1557.
2° (443 x 305mm). De Tournes' device (Cartier 'Semeur') on title and second device (Cartier 'Lac d'Amour') on N4r. 175 woodcuts, including numerous diagrams, of which 14 have a total of 40 volvelles, criblé initials in three sizes. (First 16 leaves and h3 with marginal repairs, heavy stain at top of gutter and into text affecting gathering d, volvelles on p.216 detached, occasional staining and soiling, mostly confined to margins, although sometimes heavier to text on verso of central volvelle 'buttons'.) ?17th-century sheep with later tooling in black and gilt (extensively repaired and restored, new endpapers). Provenance: M.S.G. (ink initials on title) -- evidence of stamp removed on title.
FIRST EDITION WITH THE LARGEST NUMBER OF VOLVELLES TO APPEAR AT AUCTION. Bassantin, a Scottish astronomer, settled in France at this period after his education at Glasgow. 'The size of this volume and extent of its illustration and ornamentation make this an unusually fine example of the attention given to the printing of scientific works at this period' (Mortimer). The cuts are closely derived from Apianus' Astronomicum Caesareum, 1540. The Honeyman copy had 35 volvelles, and the two copies at Harvard each have 33. Most authorities call for 36, though Honeyman believes there should be 38. Brunet 1, 692; Cartier 2, no. 357; Mortimer French 47.
2° (443 x 305mm). De Tournes' device (Cartier 'Semeur') on title and second device (Cartier 'Lac d'Amour') on N4r. 175 woodcuts, including numerous diagrams, of which 14 have a total of 40 volvelles, criblé initials in three sizes. (First 16 leaves and h3 with marginal repairs, heavy stain at top of gutter and into text affecting gathering d, volvelles on p.216 detached, occasional staining and soiling, mostly confined to margins, although sometimes heavier to text on verso of central volvelle 'buttons'.) ?17th-century sheep with later tooling in black and gilt (extensively repaired and restored, new endpapers). Provenance: M.S.G. (ink initials on title) -- evidence of stamp removed on title.
FIRST EDITION WITH THE LARGEST NUMBER OF VOLVELLES TO APPEAR AT AUCTION. Bassantin, a Scottish astronomer, settled in France at this period after his education at Glasgow. 'The size of this volume and extent of its illustration and ornamentation make this an unusually fine example of the attention given to the printing of scientific works at this period' (Mortimer). The cuts are closely derived from Apianus' Astronomicum Caesareum, 1540. The Honeyman copy had 35 volvelles, and the two copies at Harvard each have 33. Most authorities call for 36, though Honeyman believes there should be 38. Brunet 1, 692; Cartier 2, no. 357; Mortimer French 47.
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