GARCAEUS, Johannes (1530-1574). Primus[–Tertius] tractatus. Wittenburg: J. Kraft, 1563-1565-1565.

First editions of three astronomical treatises, with two extremely rare star charts. Commenting on the relative silence of 16th-century astronomers concerning the Copernican system, Owen Gingerich writes that while Copernicus’ name appears often in print, his heliocentric system is almost never discussed. Gingerich names Garcaeus’s present works as an important early example of this phenomenon: “Primarily an astrological work, it cites Copernicus ten times and uses his numbers to get celestial positions of the planets” and yet makes no reference to Copernicus’ heliocentrism (The Eye of Heaven, p. 294).

The series of 17 fold-out tables concludes with 2 large celestial maps based on Honter’s maps of 1532: Hemisphaerum boreale xxi. asterismorum cum xii. dodecatemoriis (dated 1565) and Hemisphaerum australe, cum xii. dodecatemoriis. These maps are very rare—Warner in The Sky Explored identifies only the Hemisphaerum boreale map, speculating “There may well have been a southern mate” as present in this copy (p. 92). Very rare, with only three auction records in RBH.

Three volumes bound together, octavo (152 × 120mm). 17 fold-out tables plus 2 large celestial maps (browning to letterpress, tear on P5, three tables bound so as not to fully open). Early limp vellum, manuscript title on spine (hinges repaired).