Instructio Instrumentalis Quadrantis Novi. Das ist: Beschreibung und Unterricht, eines neuen Quadranten, mit welchem man allerley Gebäu, Thürn, Höhe und Länge, ohn eigene Rechnung abzumessen, dessgleichen in den Graden der Gestirn-Höhe, die Minuten finden kan…Auffs neu auffgelegt.
One folding engraved plate. Title within ornamental type border. 2 p.l., 12 pp. Small 4to, attractive antique calf (minor worming at head), spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. Nuremberg: P. Fürsten, n.d. [but about 1660].
First published in 1597, this is a description of the author’s newly invented quadrant — depicted on the plate — which could be used by engineers for surveying. It was an extremely successful text with at least five later editions. Ritter (1579-died after 1640), a native of Nuremberg, was an astronomer and innovative cartographer, famous for his “sundial” world map. He had studied under Johann Praetorius at the University of Altdorf. Ritter specialized in the design and manufacture of astrolabes, sundials, and other astronomical, horological and cartographical instruments.
Fine copy.
❧ Kiely, Surveying Instruments, pp. 165-80. Pilz, 600 Jahre Astronomie in Nürnberg, 263-65. Zinner, Instrumente, pp. 491-92.
Price: $5,000.00
Item ID: 5963
