Astronomy.- Apianus (Petrus) Cosmographicus Liber a Petro Apiano Mathematico Studiose Collectus, first edition, title with large woodcut of globe, and to verso woodcut arms of Archbishop Matthaus Lang of Salzburg, [blank]4 with large woodcut of sphere, these three woodcuts as well as title and contents all in red and black, numerous further woodcuts, of which four with volvelles, these being on fol. 17, 24, 63 and [cross]1 verso as called for by Borba de Moraes, that on fol. 24 also with original lead weight, scattered instances of underlining and notes to margins in multiple inks and early hands, including an ownership inscription to title, some light marginal finger soiling, contemporary vellum, housed within modern morocco-backed drop-back box, [VD16 A3080; Sabin I 1738; Borba de Moraes I 35], small 4to, Landshut, Johann Weissenburger for Petrus Apianus, 1524.

*** A very rare first edition of one of the most important geographical and astronomical texts of the Renaissance particularly notable for its innovatory use of 'volvelles'. Maps and text include reference to the New World, the discovery of America being attributed to Amerigo Vespucci and it being described as an island being surrounded by water on all sides.

Complete copies are exceptionally rare. A complete copy is believed to have volvelles on fols. 17, 24, 50, 63, and [cross]1 verso, as well as a woodcut in two parts pasted to final f. or final blank. We can trace only one such on ABPC/RBH in the last 60 years (Sotheby’s 1965). The present copy, like the British Library copy, lacks the volvelle on fol. 50 (not called for by Borba de Moraes) and also the two-part woodcut pasted to the last page, yet includes the thread with original lead weight at fol. 24, which seems to be almost always lacking (not mentioned for Sotheby’s 1965 copy).