Agostino De Angelis - Lectiones meteorologicae + Appendix ad Cometam - 1653

Agostino De Angelis (1606–1681)

Meteorological Lectures by the author R.P. Augustino De Angelis of the Somascan Congregation, as Professor of Philosophy and Theology at the Macedonian College. With a double index of titles, one of matters and the other of notable words.

Second edition with an appendix on the Comet seen on December 21, 1652.

Naples, Typis Francisci Savii, Typographi Curiae Archiepiscopalis, 1653.

8vo.
[16], 379, [29] pages.
Text in Latin.

Rare sixteenth-century edition of this work dedicated to meteorology and natural philosophy, composed by the Somascan Agostino De Angelis, professor of philosophy and theology at the Macedonio College in Naples.

Particularly interesting is the Appendix devoted to the comet observed on December 21, 1652, a testimony to seventeenth-century scientific interest in celestial phenomena. The Appendix consists of 4 plates (8 pages) and is complete; in this copy it is bound at the end of the volume.

Frontispiece adorned with woodcut vignettes depicting the Sun and the Moon. Initial letters and woodcut devices in the text and a final printer’s mark with tree and motto “Nec gelu nec aestu.”

COLLATION

Collation checked directly on the copy:

§⁴; A–Z⁸; Aa–Bb⁸; Cc⁴; Appendix πA⁴.

The Appendix comprises 4 plates (8 pages), the first two of which are signed A and A2.

Complete copy.

The Appendix, which in bibliographic descriptions of the edition is placed before the main text, in this copy is bound at the end. This is a different arrangement of the fascicles and not a defect.

BOUNDING

Ancient binding in full parchment over boards, spine ribbed with manuscript title “Lection Meteoro De Ang:”. Capitals in red and yellow and red-sprinkled edges.

CONDITION

Copy in generally good condition considering its age, over 370 years.

Binding with natural signs of use, dirt and stains of the parchment, slight wear and small defects at the ends and corners.

Interior overall well preserved, with normal yellowing, occasional stains, halos and traces of time. Frontispiece well preserved.

Collation has been checked fascicle by fascicle and the copy is complete, including the rare Appendix on the December 1652 comet.

An interesting copy for collectors of scientific books of the 17th century, the history of meteorology, astronomy and studies on comets.


Agostino De Angelis (1606–1681)

Lectiones meteorologicae auctore R.P. Augustino De Angelis Congregationis Somaschae, in Collegio Macedonio Philosophiae ac Theologiae Professore. Cum duplici indice titulorum uno, rerum & verborum notabilium altero.

Naples, Typis Francisci Savii, Typographi Curiae Archiepiscopalis, 1653.

8vo (approx. 155 × 95 mm). [16], 379, [29] pages. Text in Latin.

Rare second edition of De Angelis's lectures on meteorology and natural philosophy. The work had first appeared in Naples in 1652.

Particularly noteworthy is the Appendix devoted to the comet observed on 21 December 1652, an interesting testimony to seventeenth-century scientific interest in celestial phenomena. The Appendix consists of 4 leaves (8 pages) and is complete; in the present copy it is bound at the end of the volume.

The title page is decorated with two woodcut vignettes depicting the Sun and the Moon, with old hand-colouring. Woodcut printer's device at the end.

COLLATION

Collation checked directly against the copy:

§⁴; A–Z⁸; Aa–Bb⁸; Cc⁴; Appendix πA⁴.

The Appendix consists of 4 leaves (8 pages), the first two signed A and A2.

Complete copy.

In bibliographical descriptions of this edition, the Appendix is normally placed before the main text; in this copy it is bound at the end. This is a different arrangement of the gatherings and does not indicate any missing leaves.

BINDING

Contemporary full vellum over boards, with manuscript title on the spine and red-speckled edges.

CONDITION

Very good copy for its age. The binding shows normal signs of use and age. Slight pale water-staining to the lower margin of the first gatherings, otherwise the text block is generally well preserved, with occasional age-toning, small stains and minor traces of use.

The copy has been collated quire by quire and is complete, including the four-leaf Appendix on the comet of December 1652.

An attractive and complete seventeenth-century scientific book, of particular interest to collectors of the history of meteorology, natural philosophy, astronomy and early studies of comets."