PTOLÉMÉE (Claude). - Lot 59

PTOLÉMÉE (Claude). Geographiæ universæ tum veteris novae absolutissimum opus duobus voluminibus distinctum, In quorum priore habentur Cl. Ptolemæi pelusiensis Geographicæ enaartionis Libro octo... Venice: heirs of Simone Calignani, 1596. - 2 parts in one volume in-4, 222x163: (6 ff.), 184, 47 pp., (20 ff. last blank); 288 ff. ill-leafed 292, (27 ff.), 1 map. White half parchment with small corners, smooth spine, blue edges (18th century binding). Rare first edition of the Ptolemy published by the Italian astronomer, mathematician and geographer Giovanni Antonio Magini (1555-1617), dedicated to the Duke of Mantua. This important edition, divided into two parts, marks a transition between the geographical knowledge of antiquity and the discoveries of the Renaissance. The first part focuses on Ptolemy's theoretical foundations, enriched by Magini's in-depth scientific commentaries. It includes Ptolemy's 8 books, which set out his methods of cartography, as well as two major tables: one representing the ancient world, indispensable for understanding historical accounts, and the other offering a modernized vision of the globe, incorporating the political and natural developments of the Renaissance. Magini provides clarifications and corrections, while highlighting the limits of ancient knowledge in the face of contemporary realities. This first part is illustrated with a copper-engraved vignette on the title and 17 woodcut figures, including one full-page and 16 in the text. The second part is devoted to an up-to-date representation of the world. It includes 64 superb maps, 63 of them full-page and one fold-out map, revised and copper-engraved by the Italian draughtsman, typographer and engraver Girolamo Porro (1520-1604). These maps incorporate the latest geographical discoveries, political transformations and natural changes since Antiquity. They are accompanied by an exhaustive description of the provinces, kingdoms and empires, highlighting their organization and characteristics. This edition had a lasting influence on later work, inspiring geographers such as Mercator and Ortelius. A good copy in antique binding. Some soiling and stains to binding. Handwritten bookplate cut out on the first title, leaving a gap above the vignette. Some soiling and foxing on the same title. Light staining throughout.