Mathematical Treasure: Hand-Colored Cosmographia by Peter Apian

Author(s):

Frank J. Swetz (The Pennsylvania State University)

Peter Apian’s (1495–1552) greatest work was his Cosmographia, which was published in 1524. Several editions followed the first printing. A 1539 copy has been embellished with color:

Hand-colored title page from a 1539 printing of Peter Apian's Cosmographia.

Several appealing plates from this volume:

Hand-colored calendar plate from a 1539 printing of Peter Apian's Cosmographia.

Hand-colored eclipse plate from a 1539 printing of Peter Apian's Cosmographia.

Hand-colored astronomical plate from a 1539 printing of Peter Apian's Cosmographia.

Hand-colored diagrams of the Earth-Moon-Sun and an observational instrument from a 1539 printing of Peter Apian's Cosmographia.

According to Australian blogger Peacay (BibliOdyssey 3 June 2006), the volume from which these images were taken was listed for sale on eBay. A 1545 printing (uncolored) is also in Convergence.

Index to Mathematical Treasures

Frank J. Swetz (The Pennsylvania State University), "Mathematical Treasure: Hand-Colored Cosmographia by Peter Apian," Convergence (February 2023)

Convergence

Tags:

History of Mathematics