STOEFFLER, Johannes. Elucidatio fabricae ususque astrolabii. Edited by Georg Simler (before 1480-1535/6).Oppenheim: Jacobus Köbel, 1512/13.

Heavily annotated first edition of the most comprehensive treatise on the astrolabe of its time, detailing the design and function of the astrolabe and ending with a discussion of perspective and measurement. “Stöffler recognized that, in mapping, computation of the distance between two places whose latitude and longitude were known failed to take into account the convergence of the meridians” (Stillwell). This work is printed at the first press at Oppenheim and is one of the rarest books from that press. The poem by Melanchthon on XIIv is probably the reformer’s first appearance in print. Adams S-1886; Houzeau-Lancaster 3256; Stillwell, Science 892; USTC 649878; VD16 S-9191; Wellcome 6099.

Folio (275 × 200mm). Architectural woodcut border on title-page, woodcut arms of Georg Simler, woodcut initials and large woodcut astrolabe diagrams throughout some with extension slips illustrating measurement and perspective (without volvelle attachments, wormholes at front and back occasionally catching letters, title-page toned). Contemporary half blindstamped pigskin over wooden boards, metal catchplates and remains of straps, lower endpaper from early printed text in German (claps missing, spine head and tail and spinebands rubbed, hinges split, worming through boards and endpapers). Provenance: extensive contemporary notes, including diagrams – early inscriptions in many hands including Hebrew text – Georg Simler's initials written onto the woodcut of his arms on XIIv – Dom. S. Aloys Jerseiens S.J. (stamp on title-page) – Owen Gingerich (bookplate).