Lot 94
Lot 94
From the Astronomical Library of the late Owen Gingerich
Le cuer de philozophie

Johannes de Sacro Bosco, [c.1504]

Price Realised USD 2,016
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USD 5,000 - USD 8,000
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Le cuer de philozophie

Johannes de Sacro Bosco, [c.1504]

Price Realised USD 2,016
Price Realised USD 2,016
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JOHANNES DE SACRO BOSCO (fl. 1230) – Le cuer de philozophie. [Paris: Antoine Vérard, c.1504].

First edition of this collection of medical and astronomical texts including the first published translation of Sacro Bosco’s Sphaera mundi (in French). One of the rarest publications from Vérard’s press, renowned for its vernacular illustrated editions, Le cuer de philozophie (The Heart of Philosophy) comprises three texts: the 13th-century dialogue on medicine, astronomy and philosophy, Placides et Timeo; Sacro Bosco’s magnum opus on celestial orbs in French, Spere du ciel et du mond; and L’ordonnement du compost et du kalendrier, an adaptation of Anianus’ computus manual. The texts represent three of the most important and cutting-edge subjects in a medieval curriculum: the human body, the movement of the heavens and the recording of time. The present incomplete copy contains the majority of Placides et Timeo (beginning on leaf 31 of 88) and the majority of Sacro Bosco (missing the final five leaves), in addition to 34 large astronomical-cosmographical woodcut diagrams. Exceptionally rare, the work has not appeared at auction in the past 50 years. Macfarlane 159; USTC 6688.

Quarto (270 × 190mm). 34 large woodcut astronomical and cosmographical illustrations, large woodcut grotesque initials. Bastard type (missing quires a–e and y–end, first leaf with extended lower margin, xli missing lower half, lix removed, marginal tear on lxxxxiiii, tear on c through text but not woodcut, dampstains, occasional worming). Contemporary blindstamped calf, contemporary manuscript supports (restored, original flyleaves preserved). Provenance: contemporary marginalia including long note on lower flyleaf – Owen Gingerich (bookplate).
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