Three rare and influential landmarks in science, mathematics and astronomy will be offered for public sale at PBA Galleries’ auction of Fine & Rare Books on November 29th, 2007.

First among the books is Sir Isaac Newton’s Analysis per Quantitatum Series, Fluxiones, ac Differentias…, 1711, recounting his invention of calculus around 1669, in the hopes of establishing his priority in the field over the claims of Liebniz. It is the rarest of Newton’s major works, apparently printed in a small edition intended for private distribution, but served the purpose in establishing Newton’s claim, and he is today recognized as the inventor of the calculus. The auction estimate for the work is $50,000/80,000.

Following the Newton is The Elements of Geometrie of the most ancient Philosopher Euclide of Megara, London, 1570, the first edition in English of Euclid’s Elements, and the first major scientific book in English. The work is notable as well for the preface by John Dee, an important statement on the philosophy of mathematics. Illustrated throughout with diagrams, the present copy of the large tome contains a great number of the paper overslips used in the 11th book, which so often are lost after years of use. The estimate is $40,000/60,000.

Finally, there is a work likely even more rare than the others, with an intriguing possibility of provenance. Michael Maestlin’s Epitome Astronomiae, 1570, a popular introduction to astronomy, was a work undoubtedly studied by Johannes Kepler, for Maestlin was a teacher and mentor of Kepler when the latter attended the University of Tübingen. The copy offered in the auction is bound in contemporary full vellum stamped in blind with the arms of Duke Ludwig, and following the Duke’s death in 1593 it is known that some of Ludwig’s personal effects were gifted to friends and admirers, among whom Kepler was numbered. A label affixed to the front pastedown of the book suggests this association. The work is estimated at $10,000/15,000.

About PBA Galleries

PBA Galleries is the only specialist auction house in the West devoted to rare books, manuscripts, and maps. Focused primarily on personal collections and exceptional books, recent offerings have included the sale of maps and atlases from the Ernst W. Gerber collection; the library of Ford Mitchell: Early Americana, Texas & the West; John Dunlap’s collection from the estate of William Randolph Hearst; and many more. PBA Galleries provides clients the benefits of its staff of appraisers, online and printed catalogues, and biweekly gallery auctions where clients can bid in person, email, and in real time from their computer. We welcome you to follow the auction and bid in real time by clicking on the Real Time Bidder button at the PBA Galleries website. Bidders will have to register before the auction.

www.pbagalleries.com

Posted: 11|8|07 at 6:59 pm. Filed under: Press Release.