Girolamo Fracastoro, 1538

FRACASTORO, Girolamo (c. 1476-1553). Homocentrica. Euisdem de causis criticorum dierum per eaque in nobis sunt. Venice: [no publisher], 1538.

First edition of the first printed description of the telescope; a large copy. The polymathic Fracastoro was a passionate empiricist, which often led him to (correct) conclusions contra established opinion in a wide variety of fields. This work paved the way for the Copernican revolution by pointing out problems in the Ptolemaic system. Fracastoro and Copernicus were students together at Padua, where they may have discussed these ideas as young men. Adams F-825; Riccardi I (1) 481; Stillwell I 57.

Quarto (202 x 146mm). Woodcut portrait of Fracastoro, diagrams in text (title repaired at inner corners, a few spots and stains). Old vellum (endpapers renewed). Provenance: contemporary marginal annotations.