Egyptian astronomy

Biot, J[ean]-B[aptiste]. Recherches sur plusieurs points de l'astronomie Égyptienne, appliquées aux monumens astronomiques trouvés en Égypte.

Paris, Firmin Didot, père et fils, 1823.

8vo. XL, 318 pp. With 2 folding tables and 2 (instead of 4) folding lithographed plates. Contemporary marbled half calf. Edges sprinkled blue.

 1,800.00

First edition of this rare work on Egyptian astronomy and the so-called "Dendera zodiac". The zodiac was removed from the temple of Dendera by French soldiers during Napoleon's Egyptian expedition and is today kept at the Louvre. Conceived around 50 BC, it shows astrological symbols and gives evidence of the remarkable astronomical knowledge of ancient Egyptian priests. The mathematician and physicist Jean-Baptiste Biot (1774-1862) is best known as the author of the "Traité élémentaire d'astronomie physique" (1805). Although some copies contain two additional plates showing the zodiac, these appear to be missing from most copies.

Corners somewhat bumped. Removed from the Imperial Russian Military Academy with their bookplate to front pastedown.

References

Ibrahim-Hilmy I, 70. Gay 1646. Brunet VI, 8193. OCLC 4895344.

Stock Code: BN#49661 Tags: , ,