1581 Sphaeram Joannis de Sacro Bosco (Johannes de Sacrobosco), Christopher Clavius editor et commentator (attack on Copernicus). Illustrated

A nice example of Clavius' edition of Sacrobosco's Tractatus de Sphaera, where Clavius writes commentaries following each section of Sacrobosco. Clavius' intention for this work was use in the Catholic learning centers and this work is filled with illustrations to aid in learning Sacrobosco's concepts. Also, famously, in this 1581 edition is the first appearance of Clavius' attack on Copernicus' ideas. This copy from the collection of Owen Gingerich (Harvard professor, bibliophile, author, historian, etc.).

This edition is filled with illustrations of Sacrobosco's concepts, being newly expanded from the first edition of 1570. Illustrations of globes, eclipses, etc. are in abundance, highlighting its intention as a learning tool for University students. Since this work was released in the larger quarto format, the illustrations are larger than most works intended for University students, leading bibliophiles to question form before function, or function following form, regarding the more-expensive choice of quarto sizing in printing.

Wikipedia states, "the commentary by Clavius was one of the most influential astronomy textbooks of its time and had at least 16 editions between 1570 and 1618...". This is known as the third edition, because the Frankfurt book fair listed a 1575 edition, but no copy of the 1575 edition has been found leading many to conclude the 1581 edition is truly the second edition.

Sacrobosco's work was fundamental to the understanding of the Ptolemaic universe, where the heavenly bodies circled the earth. After centuries of calculation, the inherent errors in Ptolemaic theory had led to noticeable discrepancies in the locations of where heavenly bodies should appear. 16th and 17th century astronomy engaged in a fight to reconcile these errors, eventually leading to breakthroughs in theory (Copernicus' circling the sun, Galileo's planetary ellipses, etc). In this book, beyond extensive commentary, Clavius does make some excuses and provides a few updated star tables, defending the earth-central model popular with the Catholic church.

Rather than repeat the oft-quoted remarks about Clavius' using scripture to back up his attacks on Copernicus, I'll be a little more specific (since I hate that the typical remarks suggest scripture placed the Earth at the center of the universe, which it didn't). Clavius writes, here in its first appearance, that scripture states that we can't know the exact intricacies of the heavens, as God does. Clavius was trying to conflate Copernicus' ideas with the concept of challenging God, but Clavius did not provide scripture saying the Earth was the center of the universe. Clavius also provided scientific reasons why he thought Copernicus was off. This passage is printed on pages 435-437.

Provenance -

Owen Gingerich, who wrote a book on Copernicus' work De Revolutionibus (The Book Nobody Read), owned this copy and applied his ex libris to the front. Also, presumably, it is Gingerich's notes at the rear, calling attention to the passages on Copernicus.

Bibliographic Details -

Universal Short Title Catalogue (USTC) number 822863, 38 copies recorded in the world's finest libraries. Only one copy recorded in North America, at Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library; else, all copies recorded in France and Italy.

Worldcat expands the list to North Amercan libraries with catalogue number 12713347; unsure why USTC isn't picking up these listings. Held at Harvard, Notre Dame, Boston, among others.

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 21 x 16 x 3.5 cm. Signed in eight, but recorded as a quarto. Vellum wrapper, ties expired. Illustrated and printer's mark to colophon. Initials, tables, geometric diagrams, etc.

Pages - xxxii (16 leaves), 467, (1-colophon)

Collation - 1-2cross8, A-Z8, AA-EE8, FF10. Collates complete.

Condition -

See pictures. A little cockling to binding; ties expired leaving stubs. Spine with title in old hand and label ticket upside-down. Pastedown with ex libris ticket. Some cracking at gutter revealing crash material of star table (possible indicating original binding). Pastedown and binder's endpaper with a few chips and wormholes; does not extend into text block. Slightest moisture mark just at top-edge throughout. Title page with an ink mark and thumb, some toning. Throughout, occasional toning, thumbing, page edge chip, dog-eared corner, rust spot, stray ink mark, candle ember spot, etc. 2cross3v with mark at fore-edge, possible tab was mounted there. B1-2 with moisture mark near bottom, like drop of tea or etc. Small hole fore-edge margin of K4. Small ink spill spot on O3. 2" tear at bottom margin of T3. Gingerich notes on rear pastedown.