COPERNICUS, Nicholas (1473-1543). Astronomia instaurata, libris sex comprehensa, qui de revolutionibus orbium coelestium inscribuntur. Commentary by Nicholaus MÜLLER Amsterdam: Wilhelmus Jansonius, 1617. [Bound with:] BARANZANO, Giovanni Antonio Redento (1590-1622). Uranoscopia seu De coelo in qua universa coelorum doctrina clarè, dilucidè & brevitur traditur. Geneva: Pierre & Jacques Chouet, 1617[-1618].

Important sammelband of Copernican works published the year after heliocentrism was declared heretical. The first work is the third edition of De Revolutionibus, and the first with explanatory notes, by Nicholaus Müller of Groningen. It also includes Müller’s biography of Copernicus. The second work is a first edition of Baranzano’s defence of the Copernican system in two lengthy parts, plus the addition of a third part, Nova de motu terrae Copernicolo iuxta Summi Pontificis mentem disputatio, in which Baranzano retracts his assertions subsequent to pressure from the archbishop of Milan. The decree banning Copernican books on 5 March 1616 was an important episode in the Galileo affair. However, it was not much heeded outside of Italy. Quite the contrary, this third edition of De Revolutionibus was the first published in 50 years, the second edition having appeared in 1566. Cinti 58; Houzeau and Lancaster 2503 (Copernicus); Riccardi I, 72 (Baranzano).

Two volumes bound in one with the second work in three parts, quarto (238 x 170mm). First work with woodcut printer's device on title, initials, numerous diagrams and tables in text. Second work with woodcut architectural border on title-page, one folding woodcut illustration, 2 folding letterpress tables, woodcut illustrations, head- and tailpieces (the first third of the first work with cleaned mold-stains and repairs to title and other preliminary leaves, without blank 4*4 or gathering 5* [as usual], pale dampstain, long tear to folding woodcut illustration). Old vellum (well-cleaned after prior mold damage, front endpapers replaced).