Important mathematical treatise of the early modern period

 2.400

Ludolph van CEULEN: Fundamemta [sic !] arithmetica et geometrica cum eorundem usu. With numerous figures, diagrams and initials in wood-cut. Leiden: 1615.

Ludolph van CEULEN: Fundamemta [sic !] arithmetica et geometrica cum eorundem usu. In varii problematis, geometricis, partim solo linearum, ductu, partim per numeros irrationales, & tabulas sinuum, & algebram solutis. Translated into Latin by Willebrord Snell. With numerous figures, diagrams and initials in wood-cut. Leiden: Jacob Marcus 1615.

Crown 4to (25:18 cm) [1 not num. leaf (title)], p. 1-31, [not num. p. 32], p. 33-79, [not num. p. 80-84 or leafs Li and Lii (caption title, dedication)], p. 85-135, [not num. p. 136], p. 137-269 (pag. error „2014“ = 214), [1 not num. p.] Contemporary cardboard binding with hand-written spine title.

1st Latin edition of this posthumously published important treatise by mathematician, fencing champion and professor for military engineering at the Leiden engineering school Ludolph van Ceulen (1539-1610), translated from the original Dutch into Latin by his widow Adriana Symonsz in cooperation with van Ceulens pupil Willebrord Snell (1580-1626).

Contents: A humanist scholar more than a practitioner like his master, Snell not only translated the original Dutch edition published in the same year, but also adapted, commented and even criticised it to some extent. This is why preceded Latin edition is a veritable dialogue between two approaches to mathematical science in the early modern period. Van Ceulen nowadays remains famous for his calculations of the number π, which he worked out to 33 points of decimals in the present work. - 2 leafs with the dedication by Symonsz, in this edition printed by Marcus originally bound in after the title leaf, are missing (see copy at BSB). Also in 1615 another issue with the same pagination but varying title pages was printed by Colster (see copy at Museo Galileo, Firenze).

Condition: Cardboard binding with extensive traces of use and with worm holes, blank end leafs missing, title page with one small fault at lower margin, last 3 leafs loose and torn at folds, paper moderately foxy and time-stained, some ink marginalia.

Rarity: Although well available in institutional holdings worldwide according to OCLC, this book is quite rarely offered for sale, as indicate only 5 historical auction results in APO and JAP (1956, 1964, 1975, 1980, 1981). ABPC online shows one auction record only since 1972 (2004).

Reference: Bierens de Haan, Bibliographie néerlandaise historique-scientifique, 840

Additional information

Weight 1 kg