CARDANO, Girolamo (1501-1576) - In Cl. Ptolemaei Pelusiensis IIII. De astrorum iudicijs, aut, ut uulgò uocant, Quadripartitae constructionis libros commentaria. Basel: Henricus Petri, 1554.   First edition of Cardano's commentary on Ptolemy's Quadripartitum, a renown astrological treatise. Cardano was imprisoned by the Inquisition for heresy precisely for having traced the horoscope of Jesus Christ and having attributed the events of his life to the influence of the stars. At pp.163-166 an interesting attempted censorship where the author draws Jesus' horoscope.   Folio (314 x 193mm). Woodcut portrait of the author on title, numerous astrological diagrams in the text, woodcut initials (some browning, foxing and waterstaining, first and final leaves with worn outer margin not causing text loss, some other leaves with waterstaining at outer margin, O4-O6 a little damaged due to censorship). Contemporary vellum, manuscript title on spine (slightly bowed, some wear and losses). Provenance: Marii M.th (ownership inscription on title) - some underlinings and early annotations in the text and on the cover - early manuscript index on blank verso of 2h6.

Estimate € 1,500 - 2,500

Awarded € 2,200