Johannes Schöner, 1551

SCHÖNER, Johannes (1477-1547). Opera Mathematica. Nuremberg: Johannes Montanus and Ulrich Nueber, 1551.

First edition, with a preface by Philip Melanchthon. In 1551, astronomer and geographer Johann Schöner produced the first printed terrestrial globe to name the recently discovered continent of America. Schöner was also a printer and editor and published several previously unpublished works of Regiomontanus. His mathematical works, which had been placed on the Index, were published posthumously by his son Andreas. Adams S-678 and S-685.

Folio (305 x 190mm). Lacking final blank, but with both internal blanks. Title printed in black and red with woodcut ornaments, woodcut portrait of the author on last page of preliminaries, numerous large and small woodcut diagrams, 10 volvelles (of 11; with moveable parts renewed in facsimile), errata and woodcut printer's device at end (first and last leaves with margins extended at gutter, light staining/spotting, Dd4 strengthened at gutter and leaves Dd5-Ee1 supplied, closed tear to lower margin of leaf 22-1). Contemporary blindstamped pigskin over wooden boards, catches and clasps (recased, new endpapers, catches renewed). Provenance: Augustus Hertzog, probably Augustus Hertzog of Sachsen (supralibros) – Owen Gingerich (bookplate).