Susanne Schulz-Falster Catalogue Fifteen

versal method’ from a work by Vaulezard of 1631 and from the manuscript
of Aleaume’s book, written around 1627. To support this, Dubreuil’s
publishers, Tavernier and Langlois brought out Aleaume’s book, edited by
Estienne Migon, claiming that it had been in circulation in manuscript since
1628 when a privilege had been granted.
Jacques Aleaume (1562–1627), a pupil of Viete, was a mathematician,
instrument maker, and Ingenieur du Roi under Louis XIV.
Cicognara 804; see Martin Kemp, The Science of Art, 1990, pp. 119–130.
With Two Volvelles
2 [ALMANAC – TRAVEL.] Jesus! Mit demselben glücklich zu
reisen zu Wasser und Lande. Tägliches Hand-Büchlein, Darinnen
enthalten: Morgen- Abend- Buss- Beicht- Communion- Reise- nebst
andern Gebeten und Liedern; Allerhand Rechen-Tafeln, Resolvirund
Zinss-rechnung, Gewichts- Müntz- und Maass-Vergleichung;
Weg-Weiser, Land-Charte, Städte- oder Meilen- Sonnen- Zeiger,
Wind- und See-Compass; nebst dem Immerwährenden Calender,
denen Reisenden zu Nutz, mit Fleiss übersehen und vermehret.
Leipzig and Waldenburg, Gottfried Hoffmann, ca. 1750. £950
12mo, pp. [iv] engraved and printed title, 212, [2] advertisement, with
double-page folding map, large folding engraved distance table, and
two-part calendar with volvelles; contemporary full calf, a little rubbed,
with clasps (one missing).
Uncommon combined travel almanac and merchant handbook. The first
half takes care of the spiritual well-being of the traveller, with prayers, songs
and blessings, whereas the second half provides a ready-reckoner, a perpetual
calendar with two volvelles, distance calculator and postal routes,
together with conversion and exchange rate tables. An engraved map and
engraved mileage table are also included.
This format was popular throughout the eighteenth century and although
numerous editions were published, only a few appear to have survived. Also
included is a later issue, published around 1800 under the same title and
published by the same publishing firm. By that time the copperplates were
clearly very worn, instead of two volvelles as indicated on the title only one
was included, and the information on the engraved title had become obsolete
– a clear sign of shoddy publishing practice.
See Lanckoronska & Oehler, II, pp. 89ff.
susanne schulz-falster rare books