Regiomontanus - Calendarium - 1476-2000

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1476: THE ASTRONOMICAL CALENDAR OF REGIOMONTANUS AT THE ORIGINS OF THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION
Refined facsimile edition of the Calendarium by Johannes Regiomontanus, one of the most important scientific incunabula of the Quattrocento. It reproduces the Venetian edition of 1476, produced by Bernardus Pictor de Augusta, Petrus Löslein and Erhard Ratdolt. Calendars, astronomical tables, predictions of eclipses, and instruments for studying the Sun and Moon document European science on the eve of Copernicus. The graphic design is also extraordinary, with red and black printing, diagrams and polychrome decorations. Limited edition of 3,000 copies numbered: this copy is no. 98/3000.

ABSTRACT
The Calendarium of Johannes Müller von Königsberg, universally known as Regiomontanus, is one of the most significant astronomical works of the late fifteenth century. The book collects calendars, tables relating to the Sun and Moon, calculations of eclipses, geographic coordinates, and astronomical instruments, testifying to the level reached by European mathematical astronomy before the Copernican revolution. The original was printed in Venice in 1476 by Bernardus Pictor de Augusta, Petrus Löslein and Erhard Ratdolt, protagonists of the extraordinary evolution of Renaissance scientific printing. This present exemplar constitutes a valuable modern facsimile reproduction in which colors, diagrams, annotations, and characteristics of the antique exemplar used as a model are also restored. Limited edition of 3,000 copies; this exemplar is no. 98/3000.

MARKET VALUE
Indicative market value: €400–550. The most bibliographically and scientifically interesting for the importance of the original of 1476, the name of Regiomontanus, and Ratdolt’s role in the history of printing. The presence of the publisher’s case, certification, and the numbering 98/3000 make the exemplar complete and more commercially appealing.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION
Modern facsimile edition of the Venice incunable, 1476. Volume in light editorial binding, preserved in its own black rigid case with gilded embossing. Reproduction of the original printing in black and red, with initials, ornamental borders, calendars, astronomical tables, diagrams of solar and lunar eclipses, geographic tables, and astronomical instruments; there are also chromatic interventions in yellow and reproductions of handwritten annotations and stamps from the antique exemplar. Limited edition of 3,000 numbered copies, with certification; this exemplar is no. 98/3000. This is a modern facsimile and not the original 1476 incunable. This insert contains AI Visualizations. The images are an integral part of the description. Pp. (8); 64; (8); 4 nn; (2).

FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Calendarium. Facsimile reproduction of the original edition.
Venetiis, Bernardus Pictor de Augusta, Petrus Löslein de Langencen et Erhardus Ratdolt de Augusta, 1476.
Valencia, Vincent Garcia, 2000.
Johannes Müller von Königsberg, called Regiomontanus.

CONTEXT
The Calendarium belongs to a pivotal moment in the history of science, when medieval astronomy was transforming through increasingly sophisticated mathematical and observational tools. Regiomontanus’ tables allowed tracking calendars, lunar phases, and eclipses, meeting the needs of astronomers, astrologers, physicians, and navigators. The Venetian edition of 1476 is simultaneously a masterpiece of early scientific typography: the complexity of numerical tables, diagrams, and graphical instruments shows how quickly printing was adapted to the transmission of mathematical knowledge. The work directly belongs to the scientific tradition on which Niccolò Copernico’s generation would be formed.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Johannes Müller von Königsberg, called Regiomontanus (1436–1476), was a German mathematician, astronomer, and humanist, one of the most important scientific figures of fifteenth-century Europe. He studied in Vienna and collaborated with Georg Peurbach, dedicating himself to revising Ptolemaic astronomy, constructing astronomical tables, and studying planetary motions. In Nuremberg he also promoted a printing activity specifically devoted to disseminating mathematical and astronomical works. In 1475 he was called to Rome by Pope Sixtus IV in connection with calendar reform, but he died prematurely the following year. His work exerted a deep influence on Renaissance astronomy and on the scientific culture in which Copernicus would be formed.

PRINTING HISTORY AND CIRCULATION
The original was printed in Venice in 1476 by Bernardus Pictor de Augusta, Petrus Löslein, and Erhard Ratdolt, and is regarded as one of the most significant scientific productions of the incunabular epoch. The sophisticated combination of type, colors, numerical tables, and diagrams represented an important innovation in the history of scientific printing. This contemporary facsimile faithfully reproduces a historic exemplar of the work, including the individual characteristics of the copy used as a model. The modern edition was limited to 3,000 numbered copies; this one is no. 98/3000.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
ISTC, ir00093000 – Regiomontanus, Calendarium. Goff R-93. Hain-Copinger 13776. Proctor 4365. Essling 247. Library of Congress – Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection, Calendarium, Venezia 1476. Biblioteca Nacional de España, repertori degli incunaboli scientifici. WorldCat, international census of the work. Repertoria dedicated to Erhard Ratdolt and to Venetian scientific typography of the XV century. Studies on the production of Regiomontanus’ astronomy and its influence on Renaissance astronomy. Work of particular interest for collections dedicated to INCUNABULA – FACSIMILES – REGIOMONTANUS – ASTRONOMY – ECLIPSES – COPERNICUS – ERHARD RATDOLT – HISTORY OF SCIENCE – HISTORY OF PRINTING – VENICE – XV CENTURY.