Histoire de l'astronomie ancienne, depuis son origine jusqu'a l'établissement de l'École d'Alexandrie.

BAILLY, Jean-Sylvain.

Edité par Debure brothers (colophon: printed by D'Houry),, Paris,, 1775

A propos de cet article

First edition of a history of astronomy from prehistoric times to the Alexandrian school in the third century BC, by Jean-Sylvain Bailly. It covers not only European and biblical sources but also the cosmographical concepts of Chinese, Egyptian, Persian and Chaldean astronomers. Some of the surviving artefacts that provided a basis for his studies are illustrated in the plates, which are designed to fold out so that one can view them while paging through the text.This copy was originally owned by and bound for Bailly's most important contemporary biographer, his friend Simon-Pierre Mérard de Saint-Just, who published Eloge historique de Jean-Sylvain Bailly (1794). His arms appear on the binding. In very good condition, with only a few minor spots. The binding also very good, only slightly worn around the corners and hinges. An important work on ancient astronomy, beautifully bound for the author's biographer.l DSB I, pp. 400-402; Houzeau & Lancaster 22; Smith, "Jean-Sylvain Bailly; astronomer, mystic, revolutionary", in: Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, n.s. 44 (1954), pp. 427-538. Beautifully bound in contemporary gold-tooled red goatskin morocco, sewn on 5 cords, each board with coat-of-arms of Simon-Pierre Merard de Saint-Just (motto "L'honneur et l'amour") in the centre, 4 floral corner pieces, triple fillets along the edges with star covering each corner, richly gold-tooled spine with dark green morocco spine label in 2nd compartment, the others with a flower, 4 corner pieces, stars, dots and smaller flowers (and a pinecone roll at the foot), gold-tooled turn-ins and board edges, marbled endpapers, gilt edges, green ribbon marker. In modern slipcase covered with marbled paper. With 3 numbered folding engraved plates, 2 woodcut headpieces (1 signed VLS) and tailpieces built up from rococo cast fleurons. Pages: [2], XXII, 526 pp.

N° de réf. du vendeur 21506

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: Histoire de l'astronomie ancienne, depuis son origine jusqu'a l'établissement de l'École d'Alexandrie.
• Éditeur: Debure brothers (colophon: printed by D'Houry),, Paris,
• Date de parution: 1775
• Reliure: Couverture rigide
• Édition: Edition originale