124

Michael Maestlin (1550-1631)

Epitome Astronomiae. John Evelyn's Copy.

Heidelberg: Jacobus Mylius, 1582.
First edition, octavo, purchased by John Evelyn (1620-1706) in Rome on the 16 of March 1644, with an inscription to that effect "E Libris Evelynei emptus Romae" on front fly leaf, with a shelf number, price paid, and two Latin mottos in his hand: "Dominus providebit"; and "Quicquid agis intia specaeim tuam agis," [Whatever you do, do it with your inner self in mind]; with later Evelyn bookplate with initials pasted inside front cover; illustrated with text diagrams, 6 folding typographical tables and one unconstructed volvelle with the loose sheet containing moving parts untrimmed and inserted; bound in full contemporary limp parchment, becoming detached; sold by Quaritch in the 1970s; rare at auction; 6 x 3 3/4 in.

Kepler learned about Copernicus from Maestlin, who taught at the University of Heidelberg. For his work in astronomy, and advocacy for the abolition of the Gregorian Calendar, his writings were placed on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum.

  • Notes: Ex libris Professor, Astronomer, Historian & Bibliophile Owen Gingerich.
  • Condition: *8, A-Z8, Aa-Hh8.

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