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Details
BLAGRAVE, John (ca 1558-1612). The Mathematical Jewel, shewing the making, and most excellent use of a singuler imstrument so called. London: Thomas Dawson for Walter Venge, 1585.
2o (275 x 178 mm). Title ruled in red, large woodcut of an instrument, the "jewel," on the title-page, 2 full-page woodcut illustrations (folded, a few short tears to margin crossing image), double-page table of fixed stars, illustrations and diagrams in text, all cut by the author himself, head-pieces and initials. (Some browning and staining.) 18th-century sprinkled calf (neatly rebacked). Provenance: 1663 inscription of an owner, who calls himself a philomath (his name cut away); British Museum (duplicate, sold 1787); Harrison D. Horblit (bookplate; his sale part I, Sotheby's London, 10 June 1974, lot 124).
FIRST EDITION. Blagrave's Mathematical Jewel, depicted on the title-page, was a new form of universal astrolabe. It is said to serve all mathematical arts with one instrument, including astronomy, cosmography, geography, topography and navigation. He published this work "for the furtherance, as well of Gentlemen and others desirious of speculative knowledge, and private practice, as also for the furnishing of such worthy mindes, Navigators and traveylers, that pretend long voyages or new discoveries" (quoted from the title-page). "A woodcut of a new pattern of armillary sphere made and cut by the author is on the title-page. Gabriel Harvey's annotated copy is in the British Museum, in which he praises both the Jewel and its author" (Taylor Mathematical Practitioners 44). Adams & Waters 199; Gunther The Astrolabes of the World 308; STC 3119.
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FIRST EDITION. Blagrave's Mathematical Jewel, depicted on the title-page, was a new form of universal astrolabe. It is said to serve all mathematical arts with one instrument, including astronomy, cosmography, geography, topography and navigation. He published this work "for the furtherance, as well of Gentlemen and others desirious of speculative knowledge, and private practice, as also for the furnishing of such worthy mindes, Navigators and traveylers, that pretend long voyages or new discoveries" (quoted from the title-page). "A woodcut of a new pattern of armillary sphere made and cut by the author is on the title-page. Gabriel Harvey's annotated copy is in the British Museum, in which he praises both the Jewel and its author" (Taylor Mathematical Practitioners 44). Adams & Waters 199; Gunther The Astrolabes of the World 308; STC 3119.