STÖFFLER (Johann). [...] Cœlestium rerum disciplinæ, atque totius sphæricæ peritissimi, variorum astrolabiorum compositionem seu fabricam, necnon eorundem usuum ac variarum utilitatum explanationem. [Mainz, Peter Jordan, Peter Quentel], 1535. In-folio, bradel white half vellum, smooth spine, title in full calligraphy in red and brown (Modern binding). Third edition of Johann Stöffler's important treatise on the astrolabe, known as Elucidatio fabricæ ususque astrolabii. The first two editions were published by Jakob Köbel in Oppenheim in 1512-1513 and 1524. In all, the work went through some sixteen editions between 1512 and 1620, including several Paris editions by Jérôme de Marnef and Guillaume Cavellat between 1553 and 1585. A professor at the University of Tübingen, Johann Stöffler or Stoefler (1472-1531), a native of Justingen, was a mathematician, astronomer, astrologer and designer of astronomical instruments. The treatise on the astrolabe is divided into two books, the first of which describes and depicts the various stages in the manufacture of this instrument, while the second describes its use. Beautifully designed and printed, the present edition includes nineteen full-page representations of astrolabes in the first part, among other engraved diagrams and typographical tables, and twelve large figures in the second part, explaining the use of the instrument by means of figures and towers and shafts, all skilfully woodcut. This copy is enriched with two wood-engraved plates, each showing one side of the astrolabe, bound at the end of the volume, before the index. The decoration of the binding can be attributed to Louis Jou. The first four leaves are in facsimile and the last leaf, including the colophon and the printer's mark, is missing, as is often the case. Paper restorations on many leaves, in the corners or at the back of the volume, without noticeable damage to the text; light scattered dampstaining. Brunet, V, 548 - VD16, S 9193 - USTC, 683706.