Otto von Guericke, “Experimenta Nova...” (New Magdeburg Experiments)
Abstract
Illustration showing experiment of the Magdeburg hemispheres in which horses could not pull apart the vacuum created within the hemispheres. Watson Collection, History of Science.
ID number
RB-OG1672-1
Title
Title page: “Nova Reperta” (New Discoveries)
Abstract
Shows nine new discoveries of the time. The collection consists of twenty plates showing new discoveries, including navigation by compass. Watson Collection, History of Science.
ID number
RB-A1600-1
Title
Title page: Benjamin Franklin “Experiments and Observations on Electricity, 5th ed., London.
Abstract
Supervised by Franklin himself, this is the most accurate 18th century edition of his famous work on electricity. Cast in the form of letters to the English Quaker, Peter Collinson, these letters were presented by Collinson to the Royal Society and published in their Philosophical Transactions. History of Science.
ID number
RB-BF1774-1
Title
Title page: Euclid, “The Elements of Geometrie”, London
Abstract
First English edition. Translated into English for the first time by Sir Henry Billingsley, with preface by M. Dee. Based on earlier Latin versions. Watson Collection, History of Science.
ID number
RB-E1570-1
Title
Kepler, “Harmonices mundi” (Harmonies of the World)
Abstract
Illustration from Book III, chapter 10, “concerning the Tetrachords...,” in which attributes of musical scales are discussed. Rocco Collection, History of Science.
ID number
RB-JK1619A-2
Title
Galileo, title page from Le Operazione del Compasso Geometrico et Militare (The Operation of the Geometric and Military Compass), Padua, 1606
Abstract
The Compasso was Galileo's first published book and was printed in Padua, where he had taught mathematics at the University since 1592. Written in the vernacular, the book was directed to a wide audience. It was dedicated to Cosimo II de' Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, who had been one of Galileo's students and who would hire him as his philosopher and mathematician a few years later.
ID number
RB-GG1606-1
Title
Galileo, title page from Sidereus Nuncius (The Sidereal Messenger), Venice, 1610
Abstract
In the Sidereus Nuncius, Galileo announced to the world the discoveries made with his new telescope or "perspicilli," especially the "four planets" circling Jupiter--in fact, Jupiter's moons--which he names the Medicean stars for his patron, Cosimo II de Medici.
ID number
RB-GG1610a-1
Title
Galileo, the Pleiades from Sidereus Nuncius (The Sidereal Messenger), Venice, 1610
Abstract
The observation of the Pleiades and of the previously invisible stars nearby was made possible by Galileo's new telescope, presented to the scholars of Venice during the summer of 1609. In his published illustration of 1610 he outlined the stars that were already known and represented the others by single lines. He also tried to preserve the distinction in size.
ID number
RB-GG1610a-2
Title
Galileo, title page from Istoria e Dimostrazioni intorno alle Macchie Solari (History and Demonstration concerning Sunspots), Rome,1613
Abstract
With this book, the author proudly announces himself for the first time as “Galileo Galilei Linceo” --a member of the Lincean Academy, to which he had been elected in 1611. The Lincei was one of the first scientific academies and was founded in Rome in 1603 by Duke Federico Cesi. The lynx for which the academy was named was famous for its sharp eyesight and symbolized the ability of the new science to see more deeply into the secrets of nature. It appears on the title page surrounded by a wreath, probably of laurel, and surmounted by a crown, probably that of the Cesi family.
ID number
RB-GG1613a-1
Title
Portrait of Galileo, from Istoria e Dimostrazioni intorno alle Macchie Solari (History and Demonstration concerning Sunspots), Rome, 1613
Abstract
The portrait first appeared in Galileo's book on the sunspots and was later reprinted. It shows him at the height of his reputation. On the frame he is referred to as a member of the Lincean Academy and philosopher and mathematician to the Grand Duke of Tuscany (Cosimo II de' Medici). The two cherubs above hold instruments used and perfected by Galileo for his studies and experiments: on the left, the military compass or sector; and on the right, the telescope.
ID number
RB-GG1613a-2
Title
Galileo, table of observations of the Medicean Planets, from Istoria e Dimostrazioni intorno alle Macchie Solari (History and Demonstration concerning Sunspots), Rome, 1613
Abstract
The Medicean Planets was the name given to the moons of Jupiter which Galileo discovered with his telescope in 1610. This table of observations was made during the months of April and March, 1613, and is a daily record of the positions of the moons relative to Jupiter.
ID number
RB-GG1613a-3
Title
Galileo, table of sunspot observations, from Istoria e Dimostrazioni intorno alle Macchie Solari (History and Demonstration concerning Sunspots), Rome, 1613
Abstract
A set of observations of sunspots made by Galileo during the period from 21 October to 14 December, 1611.
ID number
RB-GG1613a-4
Title
Galileo, portrait of three astronomers, frontispiece from Dialogo...sopra i due Massimi Sistemi del Mondo, Tolemaico, e Copernicano (Dialogue concerning the Two Chief World Systems, the Ptolemaic and the Copernican), Florence, 1632
Abstract
The portrait by one of the ablest engravers of the time, Stephano Della Bella, depicts (left to right) Aristotle, Ptolemy and Copernicus earnestly discussing astronomical matters. The subject of their debate is represented by the armillary sphere which Ptolemy holds in his right hand, while Copernicus holds a representation of the new heliocentric system. An arrow, barely visible on the ground to the left of the publisher's seal, points to Copernicus.
ID number
RB-GG1632-1
Title
Galileo, title page from Dialogo...sopra i due Massimi Sistemi del Mondo, Tolemaico, e Copernicano (Dialogue concerning the Two Chief World Systems, the Ptolemaic and the Copernican), Florence, 1632
Abstract
Galileo's intent with this book was to present the two world systems, the Ptolemaic and the Copernican, in easy to understand, dialogue form. His optimism concerning the acceptance of the Copernican system was misplaced; one year later he was brought to trial and forced to abjure his ideas.
ID number
RB-GG1632-2
Title
Galileo, diagram of the Copernican system from Dialogo...sopra i due Massimi Sistemi del Mondo, Tolemaico, e Copernicano (Dialogue concerning the Two Chief World Systems, the Ptolemaic and the Copernican), Florence, 1632
Abstract
This is a diagram showing the ordering of the planets, moving out from the Sun. Galileo's diagram is similar to that of Copernicus, except that Galileo has added the moons of Jupiter, which he discovered.
ID number
RB-GG1632-3
Title
Galileo, portrait of three astronomers, frontispiece from Systema Cosmicum, Augustae Treboc. [Strasbourg], 1635
Abstract
In the first Latin edition of the Dialogo, the portrait has been reengraved and significantly altered from the Italian original. Two columns have been added, and above them the curtain with the dedication to Galileo's patron, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, is held not by Italian putti but by little angels, who also support the Medici crest. The astronomers' poses are similar to the original, but Copernicus looks out toward the reader and holds his model of the heliocentric system in a more prominent position. The names of the astronomers are engraved in the ground rather than on their garments. The arrow points more clearly to Copernicus. The small stones on the ground, much more than in the Italian version, appear to represent the the configuration of sun and planets.
ID number
RB-GG1635-1
Title
Portrait of Galileo from Systema Cosmicum, Augustae Treboc. [Strasbourg], 1635
Abstract
Like the engraving of the three astronomers, the portrait of Galileo has been altered in the Latin edition of his Dialogo. He faces in the opposite direction and his titles are given in Latin. Additionally, some of the ornamental detail in the portrait has been altered to make the overall effect more sober. The engraving is signed Jac. al Heyden.
ID number
RB-GG1635-2
Title
Galileo, title page from Systema Cosmicum, Augustae Treboc. [Strasbourg], 1635
Abstract
The first Latin edition of Galileo's Dialogo (Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems), prepared by the famous Dutch printer Elsevier but printed in Strasbourg. Not mentioned on the title page is the translater, Matthias Bernegger, who appended to the text an extract from Kepler's Astronomia Nova (published 1609) and a letter by Paolo Antonio Foscarini. The additions presented arguments to demonstrate that the Copernican system did not conflict with the Bible. The Decree of Condemnation under which Galileo stood in Italy had not been published in France, so his work could be printed there. This Latin edition was later brought out in Leiden and London.
ID number
RB-GG1635-3
Title
Galileo, title page from Discorsi e Dimostrazioni Matematiche (Discourses and Mathematical Demonstrations concerning the Two New Sciences of Mechanics and Local Motions), Leiden, 1638
Abstract
After his condemnation by the Church, Galileo, though under house arrest, devoted himself to what would later be hailed as his greatest scientific work. He drew together in a systematic way his studies of dynamics, from which a whole new science of mechanics would grow. The last of his works to be published during his lifetime, the book was issued in Leiden and widely disseminated. It contained no mention of the Copernican system.
ID number
RB-GG1638-1
Title
Galileo, illustration from Discorsi e Dimostrazioni Matematiche (Discourses and Mathematical Demonstrations concerning the Two New Sciences of Mechanics and Local Motions), Leiden, 1638
Abstract
The illustration is from the second day of Galileo's Discourses, and shows that the resistance of a solid body to breaking is dependent upon its length and thickness.
