SCHRECKENFUCHS, Erasmus Oswald (1511–1579). Commentaria in novas theoricas planetarum Georgii Purbachii. Basel: Heinrich Petri, 1556. [With:] SCHRECKENFUCHS. Commentaria in sphaeram Iohannis Sacrobusto. Basel: Heinrich Petri, 1569. [With:] SCHRECKENFUCHS. Primum mobile. Basel: Heinrich Petri, 1567.

Three illustrated first edition treatises by Schreckenfuchs on celestial spheres and orbits. Schreckenfuchs was an Austrian astronomer, humanist, and student of Sebastian Münster’s. His commentary on the work of Georg von Peuerbach is believed to be the first to contain a series of three-dimensional astronomical diagrams. It is bound with his rare Commentaria in sphaeram Iohannis Sacrobusto and Primum mobile; the latter has appeared at auction only four times in the past century and the former only once (RBH).

An early owner of this volume has annotated various passages in red ink throughout, showing along with the contemporary binding that these three works were brought together and in use soon after their publications in the mid-16th century. Houzeau-Lancaster 2571 & 2572.

3 works in 1, folio (311 × 202mm). Title-pages with large woodcuts including an orrery and an armillary sphere, 9 full-page fold-outs, woodcut celestial sphere models with other astronomical and geometrical diagrams throughout including double-page orbital cut in second work (repair to first work’s title-page, second work missing flyleaf, one fold-out restored, occasional dampstains and spotting, few leaves toned, small wormhole through first work’s first quires with some loss of text, small holes in Gg3 and Y1–2 not affecting text). Contemporary blindstamped pigskin, early manuscript paper spine label, brass catchplates (hinges cracked, missing clasps, few stains on covers, corners rubbed, worming through boards and endpapers). Provenance: contemporary annotations throughout each work in multiple hands – Adam Permana (notary public; 16th century ownership inscription on title-page) – contemporary ex libris inscription partially removed – [sale, Sotheby’s, London, 21 January 1980] – Owen Gingerich (bookplate).