GRAFFENRIED, JOHAN RUDOLFF von.

Arithmeticae Logisticae. Popularis Libri IIII. In welscher der Algorithmus in ganzen Zahlen und Fracturen/ sampt der Proportionen... Allen freyen Mathematischen Kunstbegierigen/ und jedermenniglich zu gutem auss den fürnembsten Authoren zusammen getragen/ und zum ersten Mal an Tag gegeben.

Bern, Abraham Weerli, (1618) - 1619.

4to. Contemporary full calf binding with brass clasps. Five raised bands and single gilt line-ornamentation to back. Single gilt line-borders to boards. Professional, very neat restorations to back. Some browning and a, mostly marginal, damp-stain to first leaves, but overall a very nice and attractive copy. Many diagrams and computations in the text. Title-page in red and black, with woodcut ornamental border. Woodcut title-pages to second, third, and fourth parts (all part of the collation, all dated 1618). 1/3 page woodcut at end. (56), 704, (16) pp. + two folded diagrams.

Extremely scarce first edition of this comprehensive mathematical work, which was important in the spreading of the understanding of mathematical concepts.

Johnn Rudolph von Graffenried, an encestor of Niklaus von Graffenried, was born in 1584. His great passion was the understanding of mathematical concepts, and in 1618-19 he published his main work "Arithmeticae Logisticae", in which he deals with the mathematical theories and theorems of Cardanus, Christoph Rudolf, Glarean, Schoner, Stiffel, Ramus, etc. The first part of the work deals with calculating with cardinal and broken numbers, the second with proportion, progression, etc., the third with calculation of interest, society, demography etc., and the fourth with decimal fractions.

The general state of mathematics and the teaching of mathematics in Switzerland in the early 17th century was in a bad state, and Graffenried came to play a dominant role in the spreading and teaching of arithmetic in Switzerland, mainly through the present work.

Order-nr.: 41475