Galilei - De Systemate mundi (bound with)//: Discursus et demonstrationes mathematicae - 1699

Galileo Galilei

On the system of the world and on local motion
(bound with)//:
Discourse and mathematical demonstrations
Leiden - 1699 -
Haaring and Severin
In 4o - 21 x 16.5 cm. -
(14), 494, (26)p; (6), 826 (ma 282), (4)p.

THE UNION OF TWO FUNDAMENTAL GALILEAN TEXTS PROHIBITED BY THE CHURCH.

First Leiden edition of the “Dialogo” of Galileo’s famous defense of the Copernican view of the solar system, joined with the first Latin edition of the “Two New Sciences.”
DIBNER 8-141
RICCARDI I, 507
HOUZEAU & LANCASTER 9229
NORMAN 858
CINTI 101

In addition to the two fundamental texts, this edition includes (at the end of the “Dialogo”) the introduction to the “Astronomia nova” (pp. 446/54), in which Johannes Kepler argued for heliocentrism based on his decade-long study of the motion of Mars.
Also present is the Latin translation of the Epistle RPM Foscarini (letter on the opinion of Pythagoreans and Copernicus on the mobility of the earth and the stability of the sun, and on the new Pythagorean system of the world, pp. 455/487), in which Foscarini defends the Copernican theory against accusations of conflict with the Scriptures.
Finally, “The Judgment of the Cardinals against Galileo and his recantation” (pp. 488/494).

The Dialogo sopra i due massimi sistemi del mondo, emulating the Ptolemaic and Copernican worlds, was first published in Italian in 1632.
It gathers all the arguments in favor of the Copernican theory and against the geocentric cosmology, tradition of Ptolemy and Aristotle.
The dialogue presents a discussion among a spokesperson for Copernicus (Salviati), one for Ptolemy and Aristotle (Simplicio), and finally a cultured layman, for whose support the other two argue (Sagredo).

Reaction to the text was immediate.
Pope Urban VIII (who had granted Galileo permission to write a book on the theories of the universe, warning him to treat the Copernican theory only hypothetically) convened a special commission, which recommended to the Inquisition to initiate proceedings against Galileo, who, confessing that he had overstated things, was sentenced to life imprisonment but spent not a single day in prison.
The Dialogo remained on the Inquisition’s Index of banned books until 1822.

The second text treats the Two New Sciences: mechanics and motion (kinematics).
Together they constitute the foundation of modern physics and the Two Sciences are regarded as “the first modern physics manual” (Dibner), “not only because it contains elements of the mathematical treatment of motion, but also because most problems that were quickly found solvable by physical experiments and mathematical analyses were gathered together with discussions of their possible solutions” (Dictionary of Scientific Biography).

Newton stated that he derived his first laws of motion from this text.

The “Two New Sciences” illustrate the birth of the science of materials (strength of solids), the law of fall of bodies and the motion of projectiles (ballistic parabola), and the mathematical demonstration that all bodies fall with the same velocity in a vacuum.
It is the foundation of modern mechanics that Newton later used.

Wonderful contemporary binding, perfectly preserved, in full contemporary leather, with a refined, elegant and untouched five-ribbed spine, bearing author and title, as well as elaborate and precious decorations, all gilded.
Impressed with the gold decorations still clearly legible.

Internals also perfectly preserved, with strong and fresh leaves.
Numerous illustrations, diagrams, figures and tables.
Contains a beautiful portrait of Galileo, as well as an allegorical frontispiece engraved for the first text, and a textual frontispiece for the second text (variant C).
No defects to report except for a very slight (insignificant) sporadic browning of some pages.
Many concurrent blank leaves, also perfectly preserved (4 blank leaves at the start of the text and three blank leaves at the end).
Old evocative bookmarks, still firmly attached, at the outer edge.
Manuscript-decorated edges contemporaneous.

Exceptional museum copy, complete and original in every part.
COLLATED. COMPLETE