Còrdoba (Alfonso de) Tabule Astronomice Elisabeth Regine, first edition, [Adams C2622; Houzeau & Lancaster 12712; Lalande, p. 31; Palau 61824], 1503, bound after [Müller (Johannes)] "Regiomontanus". Tabule Directionu[m], early ink ownership inscriptions to title crossed through or rubbed away but manuscript inscription 'prohibitu' remaining, small amount of worming to title in blank margin upper foredge, some foxing and marginal dampstaining, D2-3 browned and soiled^, [Adams R287], 1504, together 2 works in 1 vol., woodcut initials, colophon to both works in black and red, C16th vellum, toned, slightly soiled, lacking ties, 4to, Venice, Peter Lichtenstein.

⁂ Còrdoba's astronomical tables were an important source for Copernicus who referred to them in the Commentariolus (the first draft of his planetary theory, which remained unpublished until the late 19th century). However, Còrdoba's identity only became known in the 20th century, previously his work having been known only with the reference Copernicus gives to a 'Hispalensis'; he refers to the length of the year, and mentions the values given by four astronomers: Hipparchus, Ptolemy, al-Battani and 'Hispalensis'. Although little further information is known of Còrdoba, it is supposed he was, in addition to being an astronomer, a doctor of arts and medicine born in c.1458 in Seville. Here bound with the second edition of Regiomontanus's astrological tables, compiled in 1467 and first published in 1490. Arguably the most important astronomer of the 15th century, his tables were also used by Copernicus (Zinner, Regiomontanus: His Life and Work, p. 95).