Johann Philipp von Wurzelbaur, 1719

WURZELBAUR, Johann Philipp von (1651-1725). Uranies Noricae basis astronomica sive rationes motus annui ex observationibus in solem. Nuremberg: Johann Ernst Adelbulner for the author, 1719.

The large and fresh Macclesfield copy of this combined edition containing enlarged, revised texts of both Uranies Noricae and Stabilimentum, first printed in 1697 and 1713 respectively. The first work is a catalogue of nearly 300 years of solar observations—collated, calculated, and corrected by Wurzelbaur. Wurzelbaur, a wealthy scientist interested in astronomy, had built his own private observatory with a large quadrant from designs by Hevelius. This is the only copy of this edition recorded by RBH. Houzeau and Lancaster 11858; Lalande p 372.

Three parts in one, folio (402 x 245mm). Half title. Engraved frontispiece, folding plate of large quadrant, engraved plate, 3 folding engravings mounted at end, one to rear pastedown. Contemporary calf (very neatly rebacked preserving original spine). Provenance: a few marginal corrections – Earls of Macclesfield (engraved bookplate, shelfmark on front pastedown, and blindstamp Macclesfield crest on blank margins of first three leaves; their sale, Sotheby’s 25 October 2005, lot 2155).