Lot 196: FOURNIER, Georges (1595-1652). Hydrographie contenant la theorie et la pratique de toutes les parties de la navigation. Paris: Jean du Puis, 1667.

FOURNIER, Georges (1595-1652). Hydrographie contenant la theorie et la pratique de toutes les parties de la navigation. Paris: Jean du Puis, 1667. 2 o (331 x 222 mm). Title printed in red and black, with large woodcut vignette, large woodcut folding plate, woodcut illustrations and diagrams. Contemporary half calf, speckled boards (light wear to joints, some rubbing). Provenance : Henry Duke of Beaufort (bookplate, dated 1705 laid-in). Second edition of this important text book on navigation. Fournier was professor of mathematics and prefect of the Jesuit college in Caen and first published this text in 1643. It was considerably revised for this edition. The most important parts of the work are the eighth, dealing with navigation in general, and the tenth, dealing with instruments of navigation (astrolabes, quadrants, nocturnals, etc.) The eleventh book is entirely devoted to the compass. The fourteenth and sixteenth parts deal with sea charts and are of importance for English navigation, as they were used by English mariners before the "English Pilot" called the "Hydrographer Royal" appeared in 1671. Nicolas de Nicolay's French translation of the report on James V of Scotland's navigation around his kingdom is reprinted at the end. De Backer & Sommervogel III:909.