Cosmographicae
Guillaume Postel left 57 books which became very rare (only 1 cosmography) and which are very sought-after” (P. Larousse).
Very rare first edition of his Cosmography.
Postel develops his new position on the quesion of the earthly paradise and et composes a genealogy which makes America the property of Jafet, a son of Noah, who was Gallic.
One of the1st attempts at creating an emblematic geographical image, soon to be followed by Aitsinger's "Leo Belgicus".
Bales, 1561.
4to of (10) ff. and 79 pp. with 5 woodcuts. Later half-vellum.
221 x 162 mm.
Postel, Guillaume (1510-1581). Cosmographicae, disciplinae compendium, in suum finem, hoc est ad Divinae Providentiae certissimam demonstrationem conductum…
Basel, Joh. Oporinus, 1561.
The very rare first edition of Postel’s only book of cosmography.
VD 16, P 4475 ; Brown, European Americana 561/40 ; Brunet IV, 841 ; Cioranesco 17855 ; Sabin 64522 ; Exlibris Karin Figala.
The dedicatory epistle is addressed to King Ferdinand, to whom Postel, tired of the obstacles he experienced in being heard in France, offers universal monarchy, on the principle that in the absence of elders, it is the younger ones who succeed.
A sought-after work by Guillaume Postel who attempted to change the names of the continents, boldly naming America “Atlanteans”; Africa “Chamesia” etc…
In this text, Postel develops his new position on the question of the earthly paradise and composes a genealogy which makes America the property of Jafet, a son of Noah, who was Gallic.
Very rare and sought-after first edition of this cosmological treatise by the Christian Cabbalist Guillaume Postel (1510-1581), dedicated to Emperor Ferdinand.
With woodcut on title and curious woodcuts of islands in the text.
On p. 5 the famous woodcut presenting Europe as a young woman.
One of the1st attempts at creating an emblematic geographical image, soon to be followed by Aitsinger's "Leo Belgicus".
Postel places the lost tribes of Israel in Arsareth, north of China and indicates that the North Pole is the place where the devil is chained by God; it is also the seat of virtue, bathed in sunshine, the place on earth closest to heaven.
Guillaume Postel, famous French visionary, one of the most learned men of his century, became an orientalist of the highest merit. After living in Amiens for some time and giving private lessons, he followed, in 1537, to Constantinople Jean de Forêt, responsible for concluding with Soliman a league against Charles V, visited Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, studied the languages of these countries and acquired valuable manuscripts, was appointed, in 1539, professor of mathematics and oriental languages at the Collège de France and published an alphabet in 12 languages.
He left 57 books (only one Cosmography) which have become very rare and are highly sought after.
