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Jacobus Van Asten Leendanus [?] : 1786 HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT STUDY OF ASTRONOMY, CARTOGRAPHY, GEOGRAPHY AND PHILOSOPHY FROM THE FAMED UNIVERSITY OF LOUVAIN

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. On offer is a superb, fine and unique handwritten manuscript book representative of top tier 18th century European education and study of astronomy including theory, problems, corollaries and observations and with relation to map making, geography and philosophy. This elegant book would have served as a course 'text' at the Catholic University of Louvain as evidenced by the engraved title page vignette of a major building at Louvain straddled by portraits of Plato and Aristotle, while overhead the Latin motto "Porcus Alit Doctos" features Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus on one side and a caped shepherd on the other and then inscribed by hand in the central panel by or for philosophy student Jacobus Van Asten Leendanus ANNO 1786. One online source provides a succinct explanation as to the importance of astronomy at this time in history: "During the course of the eighteenth century the combination of theoretical and practical advances allowed astronomy to solve most of the outstanding problems that had been raised by the work of Newton and the earlier astronomers. New instruments such as the micrometer, reflecting telescope, and achromatic telescope allowed the cataloging of stars with increasing precision and the discovery of new phenomena such as aberration, nutation, nebulae, and a new planet - by the end of the century astronomy seemed to have become the most perfect science and astronomers were beginning to speculate concerning the origins and shape of the universe." In handsome cursive handwriting, 20 x 16.5 cm, 8vo, original calf, raised bands, and mottled paper boards there is some wear to the hinges but is otherwise sturdy; features nine engraved plates, many fold out and a number other graphics throughout [a previous bookdealer's notes identify the engraver as Charles Becker who worked at Louvain University at the time of the birth of Louis XVII (Benezit I pp.563)]. Approx. 150 pages. Complete. The manuscript has especially interesting section on the problems of map-making with latitude and longitude. VG+.. Illustr.: Charles Becker. Latin. Book Condition: Very Good+. Binding: Leather Spine

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