Lot 175: 

[FINÉ, Oronce (1494-1555)]. La théorique des cielz, mouvemens et termes pratiques des sept planetes nouvellement et tres clerement redigee en langaige francois. Avec les figures tres utiles en leurs lieux proprement inserees. Paris: Simon du Bois pour Jean Pierre de Tours, 31 August 1528.

2υo (285 x 202 mm). Bâtarde type. 47 woodcuts in the text by Oronce Finé, including a number of diagrams showing planetary motion similar to those designed by Finé for the Peurbach of 1515, and two of armillary spheres. (Washed, a few minor marginal defects, but with final blank h4, often lacking.) Modern morocco. Provenance: early Dominican ownership inscription from Grenoble; Federico Gentili di Giuseppe (booklabel of his grand-daughter Mrs. A.R. Salem); acquired from Bernard Quaritch, 1967.

RARE FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST ASTRONOMICAL TREATISE IN FRENCH, and Finé's first work in French. The work treats planetary motion and includes a detailed account of the Alphonsine epicyclic theory. Among the illustrations are two astronomical instruments designed by Finé--an armillary sphere and a meteoroscope--depicted here for the first time and with a description of their use.

"[Finé's] work as a designer is closely related to his major fields of mathematics, astronomy and geography, and his contribution to book production is particularly interesting in extending beyond the illustration to the ornamentation of scientific texts" (Mortimer 277).
Although Finé's name does not appear on the title, his monogram appears in one of the woodcuts of the armillary spheres, and his motto "Virescit vulnere virtus" appears on a number of pages.

Brunet II, 1260; Mortimer French 224.

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