Oculus // artificialis // teledioptricus // sive // Telescopium, // ex // Abditis rerum Naturalium & Artificialium // principiis protractum nova methodo, eaque solida explica- // tum ac comprimis e triplici // fundamento // Physico seu Naturali, // Mathematico Dioptrico // ET // Mechanico, seu Practico // stabilitum. // Opus curiosum Practico-Theoricum magna // rerum varietate adornatum, multorum votis diu expetitum, omni-// bus Artium novarum studiosis perquam utile: quo Philosophiae atque Mathesi prae-// sertim mixtae, nec non universo pene hominum statui amplissimis adjumentis con-// sulitur ; nova plurima abstrusa curiosa Technasmata recluduntur , ipsaque Ars // Telescopiaria facillime addiscenda, ac sumptibus non adeo magnis in // praxin adducenda proponitur, adeoque // Telescopium // ex tenebris in lucem asseritur. // Authore // R. P. F. Joanne Zahn, // Carolopolitano Sacri Candidi Canonici Ordinis Praemonstratensis // in Cella DEI Superiore propre Herbipolim Professo. Cum Facultate Superiorum. // Herbipoli, // Sumptibus Quirini Heyl, Bibliopolae Aulico-Academici. //Anno M DC LXXXV.
Herbipolis/Wuertzburg: Sumptibus Quirini Heyl, Bibliopolae Aulico-Academici;, c. 1685. Edition: First Edition., Binding: Contemporary vellum boards, 18th century rebacking with matching vellum. Spine raised with five (5) bands; manuscript red ink title on two; green silk ties. , Notes: Text in Latin.
The 17th century German Johann Zahn (1641-1707), canon of the Premonstratensian monastery of Oberzell near Würzburg, authored the first volume of the present work, , “Oculus artificialis teledioptricus sive Telescopium”, in 1685. The following volumes were published a year later. The work overall contains “many descriptions and diagrams, illustrations and sketches of both the camera obscura and magic lantern, along with various other lanterns, slides, projection types, peepshow boxes, microscopes, telescopes, reflectors, and lenses….” “In Oculus Artificialis, Zahn's comprehensive description of the magic lantern (along with twelve other different lanterns) includes some of these lanterns showing …lens covers. This was a very important evolution in the history of the camera, because it meant that the screen could be kept dark while the operator changed the slide. Zahn used the magic lantern, whose invention he credited to Athanasius Kircher, for anatomical lectures. He also illustrated a large workshop camera obscura for solar observations using the telescope and scioptric ball. Zahn also includes an illustration of a camera obscura in the shape of a goblet, based on a design described (but not illustrated) by Pierre Hérigone. Zahn also designed several portable camera obscuras, and made one that was 23 inches long. He demonstrated the use of mirrors and lenses to erect the image, enlarge and focus it.“ “Great emphasis is given not only to the construction of instruments for astronomical observations, such as the first examples of telescopes with scioptic ball, but also to more recently invented devices, such as the microscope, of which Zahn provides detailed projects, reconstructing its history and technological developments.”
Zahn also authored a compendium of mathematics and natural history, entitled “Specula Physico-Mathematico-Historica Notabilium ac Mirabilium Sciendorum” in 1696.
, Size: Folio (326x211mm). , Illustration: Illustrated with three (3) red and black ink printed titles; portrait of the author by Bartholome Kilian in vol I; profusely decorated with large ornamental head- and tail pieces, magnificent woodcut initials and woodcut diagrams and figures; moreover, all three volumes are profusely illustrated with large in-text and inserted engraved copper plates – of these, 23 in vol. I, 20 in vol. II; vol. 3 has 27 engravings with 28 leaves representing 26 plates (two are doubles), as well as one (1) oversize four-page folding engraving. While most of the latter plates are numbered, some are not. This being the first issue of the work, it is unclear how may plates were originally included in the third volume. While most existing copies contain 24 or 25, the present exemplar contains 27, just as the one belonging to the Haskell F. Norman collection., Volume: Three parts in one volum, References: De Martin 239; Duncan 15151; Krivatsy 13208; Norman 2278; Waller 11455., Pages: Ll: vol I: bl., title, [ill- portrait], [9 ll.], pp.218, [2 ll.- with 1 table]; vol II: title, [3ll.], pp.271, [1], [10 ll- with 5 tables], [4 ll – with 2 ill]; vol III: title, [4 ll.], pp.281, [4 ll. – for two tables], [28 ll. with 26 illustrated plates] [1 ill. folding equating 4 leaves]; collation: vol I: bl., [2], )(, [1], (:)2-4; (:)(:)1-4, A1-F2, [2], F3-4, G1-Z4, Aa1-Dd4, E; vol II: )(1-4, A1-LL4, M1, [4], M2-3, [2], M4, N1, [2], N2-4, O1-Z4, Aa1-Bb4, [2], Cc1-Ff4, Gg1-2, [2], Gg3-4, Hh1-4, [2], Ii1-Ll4; vol3: title, )(1-4, A1-3, [1], A4, B1-C4, [1], D1, [1], D2, [1], D3-4, E1, [1], E2-4, F1, [1], F2-4, G1, [1], G2-3, [1], G4, [1], H 1-4, I 1-3, [1], I4, K1-2, [1], K3-4, L1-M4, N1, [1], N2-4, O1-4, [2], P1-4, Q1-2, [2], Q3-4, R1-S4, T1, [1], T2-3, [1], T4, U1-4, [2], X1-Y4, Z2, [1], Z3-4, Aa1-3, [1], Aa4, Bb1-2, [2], Bb3-4, Cc1, [1], Cc2-4, Dd1-4, Ee1, [1], Ee2-4, [1], Ff1, [1], Ff2, [2], Ff3-4, Gg1-4, Hh1-2, [1], Hh3-4, Ii 1-,[1], Kk1-Ll4, Mm1-2, [ill-folding], Mm3-4, Nn1, bl. , Category: Book Science & Technology; Book Europe Germany;. A very good example, binding slightly worn, wide margined example in contemporary full vellum. Plates and text are clean and crisp. Item #B6605
Price: $18,000.00