Illustrations of black, gray, and green drawn on fibrous paper. The left page features a man, woman, and small animal, and the right another animal and writing in the Nahuatl language

Council House of Santa Maria Toluca

Illustrated birds in green, yellow, and orange, perched on tree branches

The Birds of America by John James Audubon

vibrant and pristine layered calendar pages - one features a dragon

Photograph by Robert Kato

Peter Apian (1495–1552)
Michael Ostendorfer (ca. 1490–1549), artist
Astronomicum Caesareum
Ingolstadt, 1540
Rare Book Division

Astronomicum Caesareum

This work is considered to be one of the most beautiful and spectacular contributions to the art of 16th-century book making. Astronomicum Caesareum was published by Petrus Apianus (Peter Apian), one of the foremost mathematicians, astronomers, and cartographers of the 16th century. The book’s title translates to “Imperial Astronomy” and is a direct reference to its two dedicatees, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and King Ferdinand I of Spain.

This is a particularly vibrant, pristine copy of Astronomicum Caesareum, which is perhaps Apian’s most notable published work. The book features more than 20 elaborately decorated rotating disks, called volvelles, which, when manipulated, represent the functions of the astrolabe and other astronomical instruments used to calculate the positions of stars and planets. As one might imagine, over time and with use, these moving paper elements do not often survive intact.

Holding Division: Rare Book Division

Catalog Record: View record

Digital Collections: View record

Currently on View at Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

The New York Public Library believes that this item is in the public domain under the laws of the United States, but did not make a determination as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. This item may not be in the public domain under the laws of other countries. Though not required, if you want to credit us as the source, please use the following statement, "From The New York Public Library," and provide a link back to the item on our Digital Collections site. Doing so helps us track how our collection is used and helps justify freely releasing even more content in the future.