BALDE, Jacob.

De eclipsi solari anno M.DC.LIV. die XII. Augusti, in Europa a pluribus spectata tubo optico.

Munich, Lukas Straub for Johannes Wagner, 1662. 12mo., pp. [ii], 232, [2], [2, blank], with additional engraved title, and two engraved plates; an exceptionally fine and fresh copy in contemporary German vellum, covers with triple fillets ruled in blind, red edges, green ties, spine lettered in ink; contemporary ownership inscription of Anton Bidermann, at head of title, his armorial bookplate (dated 1654 in the copperplate) pasted onto title-verso. Rare first edition of a political satire utilizing the rapid development of astronomy and the fashion of telescopes. The engravings, faces of the moon obscuring the sun, and an astronomer awestruck by a solar eclipse (title) are of unusually high artistic quality and finesse for the Munich book production of the Baroque.Balde (1603-68), a native of the Upper Alsace, ‘studied zealously and successfully humoriana’ (translated from ADB) in his youth, became a member of the Jesuit order, preacher to the Duke of Bavaria and is considered one of the most important German Neo-Latin poets. ‘He became the “German Horace,” and classically trained readers found joy in his works down into the 19th century. From his native land he brought his Alsatian humour, and both Murner and Fischart are his spiritual forebears. His new Bavarian environment lent him a roughly joyful and lustily confident manner, and a certain naïve awkwardness …’ (Faber du Faur p. 252).The first part is a dialogue, written in prose, between the mathematician Alfons Persius Pernumias and the poet Didacus Cyrisatus on the solar eclipse of 1654, which figures as a template for a discussion of European politics. This is followed by poems and a glossary of unusual Latin words, [?] and some words made-up in a Rabelaisian manner.Faber du Faur 995; Sommervogel, I, 823; STC German 17th Century B87; Wellcome II p. 90; not in Jantz.

• GBP 1,100.00 > otras divisas
• nº de pedido: C791

• librero: Bernard Quaritch Ltd. (GREAT BRITAIN)