Verbiest, Ferdinand

4to (197 x 155mm.), woodcut initials and headpieces, folding plate engraved by M. Haffner entitled Specula astroptica Pekinensis iuxta exemplar ex China missum, manuscript notes in Latin at end, near-contemporary vellum, plate detached and laid down and browned with some tears, title-page detached, binding slightly worn

Jesuits of Dillingen, inscription on title-page dated 1715

VD17 12:642514F; Cordier, Bibl. sinica 920

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."

Verbiest was a Belgian Jesuit active in China and is one of the great figures of Sino-European culture and science of the seventeenth century. He had joined the Society of Jesus in 1641, and took his vows at Macao in 1659. He died in Beijing in January 1688.

In 1664 the Jesuits became the objects of bitter persecution in China, and the four fathers in Beijing were imprisoned. In 1669 they were released, and Verbiest was appointed President of the Tribunal of Mathematics. In the same year the Jesuit observatory was established, where a number of instruments were installed, described by Verbiest in this volume. His text was also published in Beijing in 1668, with the text in Chinese (see A. Chan, Chinese books and documents in the Jesuit Archives in Rome... Japonica Sinica I-IV, NY & London, 2002, pp. 343-344). The volume ends with a list of Jesuit fathers who had visited China.