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First Lunar Nomenclature. RICCIOLI - GRIMALDI. Almagestum novum astronomiam veterem novamque complectens observationibus [..]

1651
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First Lunar Nomenclature. RICCIOLI - GRIMALDI. Almagestum novum astronomiam veterem novamque complectens observationibus [..]
1651

 
RICCIOLI, Giambattista. Almagestum novum astronomiam veterem novamque complectens observationibus aliorum.
Bologna, Eredi Vittorio Benacci, 1651

2 Volumi in folio. 345x240 mm. Legatura dell’inizio XIX secolo, mezza pelle viola e carta marmorizzata, filetti e titolo in oro sui dorsi. Pagine [12, inclusi Antiporta e Frontespizio], XLVII, [1], 763 (i.e. 771), [1], numerose illustrazioni xilografiche nel testo, 2 tavole incise in rame ripiegate fuori testo; [6, inclusi Antiporta e Frontespizio], XVIII, 675, [1], illustrazioni e diagrammi xilografici nel testo. Al primo volume le carte 2C3-6 e 2D1-4 presentano una doppia numerazione delle p. 204-211 (ripetendo il numero con l'aggiunta di 1/2 nella p. seguente). Testo su due colonne, marca tipografica nel Colophon in fine ai volumi. In totale 2 Antiporte, Grande vignetta con le Armi del Cardinale Grimaldi sui due Frontespizi, 2 grandi tavole ripiegate fuori testo con la mappa della Luna, tutto inciso in rame. Ex libris ‘Owen Gingerich’ incollato ai contropiatti. Alcune carte brunite, per il resto bell’esemplare.

Rara prima edizione di una delle più importanti opere anti-Copernicane. Opera magnificamente figurata. Questo lavoro fu il primo ad affermare che sulla Luna non esisteva acqua. Le due belle mappe lunari a doppia pagina, intitolate “Selenographia” sono disegnate Francesco Maria Grimaldi e incise da Domenico Fontana.
Linda Hall: “The Riccioli moon map is historically of great importance, since it provided the basis for the system of lunar nomenclature still in use. It is more properly referred to as the Riccioli/Grimaldi map, since the Jesuit optician Francesco Grimaldi was apparently responsible for the map itself, while fellow-Jesuit Riccioli invented the names (and wrote the book in which the map appeared). Thus the Sea of Tranquility (Mare Tranquillitatis) traversed by the Apollo astronauts acquired its name here, as Mare Tranquillitatis, as did such prominent lunar craters as Plato, Ptolemaeus, and Tycho.”
Norman: “Riccioli's scientific career epitomized the conflict between the old astronomy and the new: as a Jesuit committed to church doctrine, Riccioli was among the most vehement opponents of Copernican and Galilean theory, but as astronomer, Riccioli recognized that Copernican theory provided the simplest and best mathematical model of the solar system”.
DSB: “Riccioli designed a series of experiments by which he hoped to disprove Galileo's conclusions, but instead he ratified them”.
Le due splendide Antiporte sono opera dell’incisore Francesco Curti: raffigurano la creazione dell'universo, con una bilancia che pesa il sistema copernicano e il sistema di Tycho Brahe; quest'ultimo fa pendere la bilancia. 
Linda Hall, The face of the moon, 7; Cinti 124; Riccardi I (2), 371; De Backer & Sommervogel VI:1798; Houzeau-L. 9223; Norman 1826.

Condition Report

RICCIOLI, Giambattista. Almagestum novum astronomiam veterem novamque complectens observationibus aliorum.
Bologna, Eredi Vittorio Benacci, 1651

Two volumes in Folio. 345x240 mm. Quarter velvet leather binding of the beginning of 19th century, gilt titles and rules on spines. Pp. [12, including frontispiece and title-page], XLVII, [1], 763 (i.e. 771), [1], many woodcut illustrations in the text, two folded engraved plates o.t.; [6, including frontispiece and title-page], XVIII, 675, [1]. Woodcut illustrations and diagrams in the text. On the first volume the leaves 2C3-6 and 2D1-4 have double numbering of pp. 204-211 (repeating the number by adding 1/2 on the next page). Text on two columns, printer’s device on Colophon at the end of the two volumes. In total two frontispieces, large vignette on titlepages with coat of arms of Cardinal Grimaldi, 2 large folded plates with moon maps. Ex Libris of libris ‘Owen Gingerich’ glued on the inside-covers. Some leaves browned, overall a nice specimen.

Rare first edition of one of the most important anti-Copernican works. Beautifully illustrated work. This work was the first to state that no water existed on the Moon. The two beautiful double-page moon maps, titled “Selenographia,” are drawn by Francesco Maria Grimaldi and engraved by Domenico Fontana.
Linda Hall: “The Riccioli moon map is historically of great importance, since it provided the basis for the system of lunar nomenclature still in use. It is more properly referred to as the Riccioli/Grimaldi map, since the Jesuit optician Francesco Grimaldi was apparently responsible for the map itself, while fellow-Jesuit Riccioli invented the names (and wrote the book in which the map appeared). Thus the Sea of Tranquility (Mare Tranquillitatis) traversed by the Apollo astronauts acquired its name here, as Mare Tranquillitatis, as did such prominent lunar craters as Plato, Ptolemaeus, and Tycho.”
Norman: "Riccioli's scientific career epitomized the conflict between the old astronomy and the new: as a Jesuit committed to church doctrine, Riccioli was among the most vehement opponents of Copernican and Galilean theory, but as astronomer, Riccioli recognized that Copernican theory provided the simplest and best mathematical model of the solar system”.
DSB: “Riccioli designed a series of experiments by which he hoped to disprove Galileo's conclusions, but instead he ratified them”.
The two splendid frontispieces are the work of engraver Francesco Curti: they depict the creation of the universe, with a scale weighing the Copernican system and the system of Tycho Brahe; the latter tips the scales.

Bibliografia

Linda Hall, The face of the moon, 7; Cinti 124; Riccardi I (2), 371; De Backer & Sommervogel VI:1798; Houzeau-L. 9223; Norman 1826.
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