53

Elias Molerius [aka Elie de Molery] (1570-1627)

Astronomicus.

[Geneva]: Excudebat Jacobus Stoer, 1607.
Second edition, quarto, four parts in one volume with divisional title pages, illustrated with text woodcuts and 4 full-page cuts extraneous to the collation (one plate silked); bound in full contemporary limp parchment; endleaves renewed; repaired worm damage to first 40 pages with other scattered instances; a few leaves with marginal losses to blank fore-margins mended; ex libris the British Library with stamps on verso of title including a stamp memorializing this copy's de-accession from that institution in 1787; quite rare at auction, RBH lists one copy; 7 3/4 x 6 in.

Molerius was one of a very few astronomers active in Vaud, Switzerland during this period. He wrote this series of short works while employed in Payerne. Included here is Molery's account of Kepler's Star, now known as SN 1604. Kepler himself observed the supernova for a year and wrote about it in his 1606 work, De Stelle Nova. Controversy regarding the exact nature of this brilliant astronomical body raged through the Republic of Letters during this period. Molery's work includes a large woodcut of the "new star's" location in the constellation Ophiuchus.

  • Condition: ¶4, ¶¶4, A-Z4, Aa-Bb4; A-C4; (.A.)-(.E.)4, (.F.)2.

    Ex libris Professor, Astronomer, Historian & Bibliophile Owen Gingerich.

    Please contact us to request a condition report:
    Devon Eastland, Senior Specialist: [email protected]
    Grace Meschery-McCormack, Cataloguer: [email protected]


    Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

April 23, 2026 10:30 AM EDT
New York, NY, US

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
27.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
22.00%
$1,000,001+:
12.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000