Stobnicza, Johannes.

Estimate

25,000 - 30,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Introductio in Ptholomei Cosmographia[m] cu[m] longitudinibus regionum et civitatum celebriorum. Crakow: Florian Ungler, [1512], first edition, 46 leaves, colophon with date, full page woodcut of armillary sphere, half-page woodcut of the quadrant, numerous five- to twelve-line woodcut initials, tables and printed marginalia, [Harrisse 69; JCB I, 54; Nordenskiöld, pp. 68-69, 100; Sabin 91866], without the world map (rarely present)
Paper

Fenestella, Lucius. De romanorum magistratibus (with Albricus. De deorum imaginibus). Vienna: Hieronymus Victor, 1510, 2 parts in one volume, 44 leaves

2 works in one volume, small 4to (200 x 154mm.), lightly annotated in several contemporary hands, boards covered with a contemporary music manuscript, slightly browned, minor dampstaining

Provenance

I.D. Gabain, booklabel; Arnold Herbert, name in ink added later to book label

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Stobnicza (c.1470-1530?), a specialist in metaphysics, held the chair of cosmography at Cracow and later entered the Franciscan order there. His Introductio is one of the most important early items of Americana, and contains several passages on Amerigo Vespucci and his discoveries (especially chapter 9, folio 7, but also in chapters 7, 3, and the dedication). The work is notable for its early description of the Isthmus of Panama, seemingly a year before its official "discovery" by Vasco Núñez de Balboa.

Two different issues of the edition exist, without priority. One – as here – is foliated to folio 36 and has an undated colophon; the other is foliated to 40 and is dated 1512. The texts of both issues are identical, though the setting of the last four leaves differs. The present issue is definitely the rarer of the two; Yarmolinsky, Early Polish Americana (1937), traces just six copies, opposed to fifteen of the dated issue.

Only four copies (Vienna, Munich, Breslau, John Carter Brown) of the twenty-one known of both issues include a double-page world map copied from Martin Waldseemüller (but without the name "America"). There is no consensus as to whether the map is an integral part of the book.