[EUCLID]. Euclidis Elementorum libri XV. Accessit liber XVI. De Solidorum Regularium cuiuslibet intra quodlibet comparatione. Omens perspicuis demonstrationibus, accuratisque scholiis illustrati: Nunc quarto editi, ac multarum rerum accessione post primam editionem locupletati. Auctore Christophoro Clavio. Francofurti, Ex Officine Typographica Nicolai Hoffmanni, Sumptibus Ionae Rhodii, MDCVII. [1607].
SIXTH EDITION. Two parts in one; leather-bound; hardcover; thick octavo (20.5 x 11 x 7cm); pp. (128), 1-671, (1 blank), (2), 3-680. Latin text. Bound in contemporary full vellum over boards with yapp edges, ink titles to smooth spine. Initial and terminal blanks present. Each part with a separate title-page (first title printed in red and black), printer's woodcut devices. Numerous diagrams in the text, decorated head- and tailpieces, decorated initials, printed side-notes. Condition: VERY GOOD. Collated complete. Binding tight and secure, the covers well-preserved with some light shelf wear. Interior largely clean, some old inking to the front endpaper, the terminal blank with a portion excised. An excellent copy.
Notes: First published in Rome in 1574, this edition of Euclid's works is annotated by Christophorus Clavius. Clavius (1538-1612) came from Bamberg and, following scholarly custom, translated his family name Schlüssel (or Clau) into Latin. He was a mathematician and a Jesuit priest at the Collegio Romano. Called the "Euclid of the 16th century" by his contemporaries, he became famous primarily for the calendar reform to the Gregorian calendar in 1582, which he oversaw. He authored several mathematics books, was interested in astronomy, designed astronomical instruments, established scientific work at the Vatican Observatory, and maintained a friendly relationship with Galileo Galilei. His commentary on Euclid was still being printed at the beginning of the 18th century. - Bibl. Dt. Mus., Libri rari 096; Wellcome I, 2081 (only part 2); Graesse II, 512.
