Apparently the only surviving copy, not found recorded, of the second (and last) edition of a book devoted to astrolabes, globes, cosmography and geography by the French philosopher Claude Pithois (1587-1676). A two-page foreword addressed "a ceux qui le meritent" notes among other things that the book is useful for people compiling almanacs or writing horoscopes, but does not refer to the earlier edition. A four-page "prelude" in XII numbered points follows, mainly defining terms, then IV numbered treatises: "Traitté de la sphere en general" (on Ptolemaic astrolabes, the earth and the universe: the "sphere artificielle" and "sphere naturelle"), "Traitté de la region celeste" (on the sun, moon, planets and stars, including constellations), "Traitté de la region elementaire" (on the earth, subterranean regions, seas and air, associated with the four elements) and "Traitté des principes de la geographie" (with special emphasis on globes). It is a simple introduction to the subjects, explaining many different terms and concepts. Until now it was known only from the very rare first edition (1641), printed by Pierre Jannon at Sedan. The deliberate destruction of the books of the Protestant Academy at Sedan in 1681 no doubt contributed to the rarity of Sedan books of this period and this one was probably intended for students, who no doubt wore out most copies.
With some minor marginal chips, tears and holes, not approaching the text, but otherwise in very good condition and almost entirely untrimmed. The binding is good, with only a few tiny wormholes in the spine. The apparently unique surviving copy of the second and last edition of a work on astrolabes and cosmography, also very rare in its first edition. Cf. Barbier 9356; Houzeau & Lancaster 10920; KVK & WorldCat (3 copies of 1641 ed.); not in BN Paris; Zinner.