VARENIUS, BERNHARDUS.
Geographia generalis: in qua affectiones generales telluris explicantur.
Amsterdam, Ex officina Elzeviriana, 1664.
12mo (128 x 67 mm). In a nice 18th century full calf binding with gilt compartments to spine, gilt boarders to bords and all edges gilt. A few scratches to boards. Hinges with wear and a bit loose. A fine and clean copy. (40), 748 pp. + five folded plates.
Second edition of Varenius’ important work, in which he endeavored to lay down the general principles of the subject on a wide scientific basis, according to the knowledge of his day. It not only was a systematic geography on a scale not previously attempted, but it also contained a scheme for special, now known as regional, geography. That major work was frequently revised, and the edition of 1672 had improvements by Sir Isaac Newton. “Bernard Varenius is considered the founder of modern geographical science. In his "Geographia generalis", he distinguishes the major parts of geography, sets out several fundamental principles as well as the method according to which only general geography could vivify and make explanatory particular descriptions. Finally, his ideas on climates and the oceans are remarkable in several respects” (Antoine Bonifacio in Histoire de la Science, Pléiade). The work is divided into three sections: 1: absolute geography, 2: relative geography and 3: comparative geography. The first investigates mathematical facts relating to the earth as a whole, its figure, dimensions, motions, their measurement, etc. The second part considers the earth as affected by the sun and stars, climates, seasons, the difference of apparent time at different places, variations in the length of the day, etc. The third part treats briefly the actual divisions of the surface of the earth, their relative positions, globe and map-construction, longitude, navigation, etc. Berghman:1472.
Order-nr.: 60214
DKK 5.000,00