Regiomontanus, 1494

REGIOMONTANUS (1436–1476). Ephemerides 1494–1506. [Venice: Johannes Emericus, de Spira, 1494].

Incunable edition in contemporary binding of the first printed astronomical ephemerides. Regiomontanus, "the most important astronomer of the 1400s," completed his tables of expected planetary positions in 1474 (Gingerich, The Book Nobody Read). It was the first work of its kind, computing the positions of the sun, moon and planets every day for the following 32 years, from 1475 to 1506. Very rare, this 1494 edition has only one copy recorded in the US (ISTC). HC *13794; BSB-Ink R-66; CIBN R-59; GW M37515; Goff Suppl. R-109b; Klebs 839.11; ISTC ir00109750.

Quarto (155 × 212mm). 168 leaves (of 194, missing first and last quires). 11 woodcut solar and lunar eclipse diagrams, annual titles (very occasional marginal stains). Contemporary blindstamped calf over paper boards, recycled pastedowns with upper leaf from a 15th-century edition of Herolt’s Sermones (hinges cracked and joints started, chipping on spine and corners, ties missing, tiny wormtrail on upper corner); custom quarter calf box. Provenance: purchase note, Sainte Chapelle, Paris, 16 December 1541, for 3 sols and 5 deniers (inscription on upper pastedown) – Antonius (partially-torn 16/17th-century inscription on 1494 title) – 18th-century inscription on flyleaf "Picquet" – Owen Gingerich (bookplate; 20th-century correction on verso of b3 possibly Gingerich’s).