FOURNIER, Georges (1595-1652) Hydrography containing... Lot 28

FOURNIER, Georges (1595-1652) Hydrography containing the theory and practice of all parts of navigation. Paris: Jean du Puis, 1667. In-folio, title printed in red and black, with large woodcut vignette, full calf, spine ribbed, title-piece (accidents to spine, foxing) Second edition of this important navigation manual. Fournier was professor of mathematics and prefect of the Jesuit college in Caen and published this text for the first time in 1643. It has been 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 navigational instruments (astrolabes, quadrants, nocturnes, etc.). The eleventh book is entirely devoted to the compass. The fourteenth and sixteenth parts deal with nautical charts and are important for English navigation, as they were used by English sailors before the appearance of the "English pilot" called "Royal Hydrographer" in 1671.