Gigues - La Sfera Geografico-celeste  - 1700

The Geographical-Celestial Sphere by Marc'Antonio Guigues, French ecclesiastic, dedicated to the incomparable merit of the very rev. Father Gio. Ambrogio Centurione of the Society of Jesus, rector of the Colle­ge of the Penitentiaries of the Holy House of Loreto. In Rome: by Gio. Giacomo Komarek, Bohemian, at the Trevi Fountain, 1700. Pp. (40), 353, (3); cm. 21 x 15.5. The copy is lacking the copper-engraved title-page, otherwise complete in every part. Contemporary binding in half-leather with a title-label applied to the spine. Paper not very clear, as in the original, but pages intact and without flaws. Initials and woodcut ornaments. Numerous illustrations in the text, with graphs, diagrams, coins, stars, etc. This is the first Italian edition and it treats the astronomical world, the constellations, the stars, etc., from a historical and mythical point of view, according to the scientific beliefs of the era. Very easy to read, with a lively language.
The author is the French religious figure Marc-Antoine-Guiges, a rather controversial character in his beliefs, who, for example, on page 50 wrote: "That the fixed stars are as many suns created by God to illuminate the worlds, which some suppose to have separated themselves and to be somewhat different from ours, would, to believe it, require the spirit of Giordano Bruno, who for persisting in maintaining such impudence was burned in Rome by judgment of the Holy Inquisition."