[18TH CENTURY LATIN MANUSCRIPT]
A. R. P. Modesto A Mte. Capuchin “Scholar and Teacher. "An improved and carefully arranged course for intense study and delivery to students.” (Loose translation) 1700
4to (24 x 17 cm). Half vellum on marble boards. 90 numbered pages and 2 duplicate page numbers, 74 and 75 as and Addendum to the Arithmetic section. All pages are in manuscript with 3 in text tables, 3 folding tables at end and 18 figures on four folding plates. The figures have red wash for shading. The title page is in red and black ink. The text is written in a fine legible hand. The text is divided into sections on Arithmetic and Geometry. Each section has an introduction, history, presentation, object, and divisions. These paragraphs are followed either by propositions (Arithmetic section) or Addenda on separate topics, such as conics, parabola, etc. (Geometric section). The Arithmetic section is longest with 74 p. plus 2 addenda pages. The detail information in the Geometry sections leads to practical problem solving for surveying. We could find no record of publication or for the author of this manuscript.
This appears to be an original work used in teaching students, most likely at a Capuchin monastery in the 17th and early 18th centuries. This is a very scarce and fine example of early teaching of two major branches of mathematics, Arithmetic and Geometry.
$US5000
This item is listed on Bibliopoly by Antiquariat Botanicum; click here for further details.