(1554). BUTEO - [BORREL (Jean)]. OPERA GEOMETRICA... - Lot 271

(1554). BUTEO - [BORREL (Jean)]. OPERA GEOMETRICA... Lyon, Thomas Bertheau, 1544. In-4°, 158-[2] pages, stiff vellum (later binding). Rare first edition of a scientific treatise by Jean Borrel (or Johannes Buteo), a mathematician from Dauphiné born in 1492, who was a pupil of cartographer Oronce Finé in Paris. The treatise is lavishly illustrated with diagrams and curious woodcuts. It is divided into 15 major chapters on different subjects: the construction of Noah's Ark, squaring the circle, river waters, Caesar's aqueduct-bridge, islands... The first 9 deal with mechanical, arithmetic and geometric problems. This is the most interesting book by the author, who later fell out with his master, before retiring to his estate in Balan, a popular place for the abbots of Saint-Antoine; one plate shows the author's house. Pleasant copy despite short margins (USTC 151615) (Adams B-3356).