Tariffa Kircheriana, id est Inventum aucthoris novum expeditâ, & mirâ arte combinatâ methodo, universalem Geometriae, & Arithmetica Practica Summam continens.. by [KIRCHER, Athanasius]

24 folding woodcut plates & numerous woodcuts in the text of Part I. 12 p.l. (first leaf a blank), 316 pp., one leaf of errata; 205 leaves (incl. added title with woodcut, final three leaves blank). Two parts in one vol. Small 8vo, cont. vellum (carefully rebacked in vellum, later endpapers). Rome: A. Tinassi, 1679. First edition, presentation copy, with an "Ex dono Auctoris" inscription on front endpaper to an unidentified recipient (in the recipient's hand). "The Tariffa, perhaps the rarest of all Kircher's works and his least characteristic, is entirely mathematical. It treats primarily geometrical figures and simple trigonometry. The work is organized in the traditional format for mathematical works, with problems, propositions, and proofs. The term tariffa was used in Kircher's day for compilations of tables used by navigators 'from which valuable knowledge might be had without labor,' but, as is explained in the preliminary pages, Kircher titled his book Tariffa 'not only because valuable knowledge might be had, but because one may understand [from it] the universal art of mathematical computation'... "A Greek encomium to Kircher by Ioannes Theodorus Fritzer Trevirensis, Kircher's pupil and the alleged editor of this work, is included in the preliminary pages. The dedication and preface are signed by Benedictus de Benedictis, professor of mathematics at Rome - Kircher's pseudonym. This is the only work published by Kircher pseudonymously."-Merrill 28. A major section of the first part contains a description of Kircher's pantometrum, or surveying plane table, which facilitated certain surveying and magnetical operations, and geometrical calculations. Fine copy. Over the years, I have handled almost all of Kircher's books, and this is the first time I have handled this title. ❧ Tomash & Williams K48-49.