Tobias Mayer - Mathematischer Atlas or Mathematical Atlas - 1745

Tobias MAYER – Mathematischer Atlas (MATHEMATICAL ATLAS) RARE FIRST EDITION. A monumental volume, completely illustrated, plus the RARE Mathematical Supplement. Published in 1745 with 66 HAND COLOURED COPPER ENGRAVINGS size: height 355mm x width 530mm or 14.2 by 20.9 inches. The same first edition is currently selling for $10,000.00, here it is offered at a fraction of that price.

FIRST AND SOLE EDITION OF THIS ENCYCLOPEDIC ILLUSTRATED SURVEY APPLYING THE LATEST MATHEMATICAL METHODS TO THEORETICAL AS WELL AS PRACTICAL SCIENCES (geography, cartography, physics, astronomy, military & civil architecture, geometry, optics, trigonometry, mechanics and engineering), by the cartographer Tobias MAYER (1723-1762). The work was published shortly before the author joined the Homann Cartographic Bureau, where he served as one of the principal technical experts for five years (e.g. Homann's Atlas Novus). This Atlas shows the level of knowledge and development of mathematics of German scientists and the attempt to synthesize theories and practical applications in a single large coloured table with explanatory note. Text in German and sometimes in Latin.

ALL ILLUSTRATIONS ARE DETAILED AND WELL CONTRASTED, the antique and beautiful hand colouring adds great charm to this work. The engraved title-frontispiece is spectacular and a work of great value, created by Johann Wolfgang BAUMGARTNER (1702-1761), an Austrian-German Rococo painter and engraved by Johann Georg PINZ (1697-1761). It depicts four mythological figures in the foreground, each being an allegory of architecture, geometry, cartography and astronomy. In the background there are small scenes presenting the practical application of these sciences. RARE ILLUSTRATED FIRST EDITION WITH SUPPLEMENT, in very good condition. One of the most beautiful 18th century book ever published on mathematics and cartography.

Title: Mathematischer Atlas (Mathematical Atlas), in welchem auf 60 Tabellen alle Theile der Mathematic vorgestellet und nicht allein überhaupt zu bequemer Wiederholung, sondern auch den Anfängern besonders zur Aufmunterung durch deutliche Beschreibung u. Figuren entworfen werden...Publisher: Johann Andreas Pfeffel, in Augsburg [1745].

References: Roller - Goodman II.177; Royal Observatory of Edinburgh, Catalog of the Crawford Collection (1890) p. 301 (lacking supplement); E.G. Forbes in DSB IX.232-35; Poggendorff II.91; Bibliothek des Deutschen Museums, Katalog der Druckschriften bis 1750, Libri Rari (1977) p. 186 (also lacking supplement). Copies frequently seem to lack the supplement (Deutsches Museum, Crawford Collection) as well as a single leaf author's preface. The present copy contains the supplement, but not author's preface. It is uncertain whether either is actually required; the Harvard copy, also in a contemporary binding (like the present copy), lacks the preface as well.

Description: Oblong folio size: height 355mm x width 530 mm or 14.2 by 20.9 inches. Completely illustrated, with engraved title-leaf signed J.G. Pinz after J.W. Baumgartner + 57 numbered plates-leaves, (lacking plates 33-34-35), + 8 numbered plates-leaves containing the RARE "Supplement zu dem Mathematischen Atlante". Elegant contemporary half calf binding with leather corners, boards are bound in marbled paper. The binding is somewhat rubbed and bumped but this does not affect the firmness of the binding. The 18th century hardcover is solid, firm and in good condition. Some plates were newly bound or strengthened at the inner margins. All plates in extraordinary condition with strong and beautiful colours, the majority hand-coloured. The engraving work, of great finesse, shows great detail in the illustrations and excellent contrast and sharpness. Pages and plates are clean, occasional light spotting and browning. This is a fine book, a bright copy beautifully illustrated and bound.

Author: Tobias Mayer (1723-1762) was a German astronomer, geographer, cartographer, mathematician and physicist. He was born at Marbach, in Württemberg. A self-taught mathematician, he earned a living by teaching mathematics while still a youth. He had already published two original geometrical works when, in 1746, he entered J. B. Homann's cartographic establishment at Nuremberg. Here he introduced many improvements in mapmaking, and gained a scientific reputation which led (in 1751) to his election to the chair of economy and mathematics at the University of Göttingen. In 1754 he became superintendent of the observatory, where he worked until his death in 1762.

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