Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

The most carefully appraised rare books brought to you by {name}

Volker Riepenhausen

1595 FIRST EDITION & RICHLY ILLUSTRATED with 50 detailed half-page illustrations on geometry, cartography, topography, mathematics, geology, extreme weather, hydrogeological instability, physics, hydraulic, civil, and military engineering. The author, Silvio Belli (1520-1579), was an important mathematician and engineer in the water management (Magistrato alle Acque) department of the Republic of Venice. He was responsible for the hydraulic management of rivers, lagoons, canals, and buildings, flood prevention, navigation, river diversions, water flow, the creation of canals for irrigation and transportation, the optimization of the lagoon's sea routes, and the protection of the city of Venice from extreme weather events. Belli held one of the most important positions in the republic, which based its wealth on the sea and trade. This manual clearly explains, with practical illustrated examples, the use of the geometric square or gnomonic instrument (gnomon), an instrument derived from the astrolabe for architectural and topographical surveying for land development. Silvio Belli collaborated with Andrea Palladio and contributed to the construction of the Basilica Palladiana and the Cathedral in Vicenza. He also received commissions from the governments of Ferrara, Modena, and Rome, always with the task of managing river flows, resolving property disputes, preventing hydraulic problems, and optimizing and exploiting navigable waterways. First edition, solid half-leather binding, in excellent condition. References; World Cat OCLC 954783209; USTC n°813271; Adams B-521; BL/STC Italian p. 79; Cicognara 427: ‘very well designed’; Honeyman 273; Riccardi I, 108: ‘rare’; Index Aureliensis 116.193; Graesse I 329; Smith "History of Mathematics" II 286; Smith "Rara Aritmetica" 343.

Andrea Palladio had a high regard for Andrea Belli, calling him "the most excellent surveyor in our area". Belli, in this book from the beginning, honors the great genius of Euclid (c. 300 BC), then illustrates dozens of measurements and practical solutions for engineers and architects using the geometric square or gnomonic instrument, and explains, using other tools, how to calculate the depths of rivers, seas, wells and the circumference of the Earth. This first edition is divided into three books/parts; it is a manual explaining how to measure distance, height, depth and proportionality, and is a synthesis of Belli's previous books. The illustrations are by the author himself. Being an island in the middle of the lagoon, the city of Venice faced problems with flooding, river management, and the blockage of commercial canals due to debris carried by swollen rivers that discharged into the sea adjacent to the city. Several rivers flowed into the lagoon from the mountains, which, depending on rainfall and snowmelt, destabilized the morphology of the land. Engineer Belli's task was to move the river mouths further south or north of Venice to protect the city and keep the canals passable for the influx of food and goods, as well as exploiting the water to improve navigability, irrigation, and agriculture with new artificial canals.

TITLE : 	                    Quattro libri geometrici...Il primo del misurar con la vista...la profondità di qual si voglia mare, ed di misurare il circuito di tutta la terra. Gli altri tre sono della proportione...et facile intelligentia dell'arithmetica, della geometria et di tutte le scientie et arti….(Four geometric books...The first is on measuring by sight...the depth of any sea, and on measuring the circumference of the entire earth. The other three are on proportion...and the easy understanding of arithmetic, geometry, and all the sciences and arts…)            
AUTHOR: 	            Silvio Belli (1520-1579)
PUBLISHER: 	            Ruberto Megietti
DATE:                          1595, printed in Venice, complete illustrated book

DESCRIPTION: 	    In 4to size, height 215 x width 158 mm (8.5 by 6.3 inches). Pages  [8], 132 [i.e. 134], [2], richly illustrated with 50 engravings and beautiful typographic friezes. 1900s half leather binding, restored, with titles and decorations on the spine, in excellent condition. Pages and illustrations in good condition, some small stains or oxidation here and there, but not serious, 3-5 small holes with no loss of text or illustrations. COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED FIRST EDITION.

AUTHOR: Silvio Belli (1520-1579) was an Italian mathematician and engineer of the Republic of Venice. He was among the founders of the Accademia Olimpica in 1555, in Vicenza. In 1556, he was appointed superintendent (engineer) of the Municipality of Vicenza; in this capacity, he oversaw various public works, including the construction of the loggias of the Basilica Palladiana and the restoration of the cathedral, in collaboration with Palladio. Around 1561, he left public office to dedicate himself to private and government commissions in Ferrara, Modena, Rome, and Venice. In 1566, he was appointed "Proto delle Acque" (Water Engineer) of the Republic of Venice, a prestigious position.

SHIPPING: via UPS, DHL, National Postal Services, protected, INSURED and fully tracked package. Estimated time for Europe 3-5 working days. Shipping within one working day, you can combine shipping if you purchases several items from us, saving money and time.

Agriculture, Architecture, Art, Astronomy, Cartography, Europe, Fine Bindings, Geography, Geology, Illustrated, Incunabula & early printing, Mathematics, Memorabilia, Science, Ships and seafaring, Technology, Topography, Transportation, Travels - Quantity: 1 - Book

Silvio Belli - Four Geometric Books, first edition - 1595

Books

Reserve price

No reserve price

Livestream

Budget

From

Closing date

Saturday

tomorrow

25 October

Tuesday

26 October

Friday

today

Thursday

30 October

Wednesday

28 October

29 October

31 October

Location

France

Italy

The Netherlands

United Kingdom

Germany

Switzerland

Belgium

Spain

Japan

Portugal

Czech Republic

Israel

Latvia

Poland

Hungary

Ireland

Austria

Bulgaria

Denmark

Malta

Romania

Türkiye

Greece

Croatia

Luxembourg

Object

Book

Reference book

Coffee table book

Bible

Single sheet print

Tarot cards

Print

Document

Manuscript

Ex libris

Novel

Facsimile

Biography

Tour-book

Photo book

Magazine

Asian art and objects

Autobiography

Autograph letter signed (ALS)

Brochure

Comic book

School map

Hobby box

Dictionary

Country of origin

Netherlands

Sweden

Europe

Material

Paper

Leather

Linen

Velvet

Condition

Good

Very good

Fine

Fair

Mixed / Multiple

As new

Poor

Good condition

Excellent condition

Mint

Excellent

Near mint

As new - unused

Reasonable

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Poor - heavily used with major cracks, damages or major parts missing

Fair condition

Extras

Tipped in plates

Fold out maps or plates

Slipcase

Dust jacket

Hand coloured illustrations

Signed by author

Signed

Signed by illustrator

Inscribed by author

Limited edition

Period

2000-2010

17th century

1980-1990

18th century

1990-2000

2010-2020

19th century

1970-1980

1950-1960

1850-1900

1551-1560

1400-1420

16th century

1940-1950

1900-1910

1920-1930

2020+

1501-1520

Subject

Literature

History

Illustrated

Religion

Travels

Science

Children's books

Medicine

Natural History

Geography

Philosophy

Botany

Poetry

War history

Reference

Politics

Regional interest

Sociology

Nature

Esotericism

Bibles

Fine Bindings

Science fiction and fantasy

Animals

Style

Classical

Realism

Surrealism

Contemporary

Art Deco

Medieval

Art Nouveau

Baroque

Biedermeier

Technique

Engraving

Lithograph

Etching

Wood cut

Offset print

Signature

Not signed

Plate signed

Reprint

Signed by

Hand signed

Personally signed

Binding

Hardback

Half leather

Softback

Vellum

Books

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Silvio Belli - Four Geometric Books, first edition - 1595

Popular in Books

2386 objects

Related collections