The Sphere of the World (1482) - Page 11

No. 17 . . . west original: "n. 17 . . . occ." — This is a library shelfmark or location code used to organize the collection.

A woodcut illustration depicts an armillary sphere armillary sphere contained within a double-line rectangular frame. The sphere consists of several intersecting rings representing celestial circles. The top is labeled "Arctic Pole" original: "Polus Arcticus" and the bottom "Antarctic Pole" original: "Polus Antarcticus". A vertical axis passes through the center, held at the base by a disembodied hand emerging from a mass of stylized clouds. A banner or scroll spirals around this central axis, bearing the words "Sphere of the World" original: "Sphaera Mundi". The broad ecliptic band ecliptic is marked with zodiac signs, including Gemini (the Twins), Leo (the Lion), Virgo (the Virgin), Libra (the Scales), Scorpio (the Scorpion), and Sagittarius (the Archer). On the left side of the sphere's central horizontal ring, the word "Pole" original: "Polus" is printed.

The Convent of Saint Mark of Florence, of the Order of Preachers The Order of Preachers is the formal name for the Dominican Order, a Catholic religious order known for its dedication to study and preaching., acquired from Brother Giovanni Antonio Vespucci Giovanni Antonio Vespucci (1434–1514) was a noted humanist scholar and Dominican friar at San Marco. He was also the uncle and tutor of the famous explorer Amerigo Vespucci., a native son of the said Convent.

To be placed on bench 16, 17, west. original: "Ponatur in banco .16. 17. occ." — This refers to the physical location of the book in the San Marco library, where volumes were chained to specific "banchi" (benches or reading desks) categorized by subject.

Technical Terms

Armillary sphere: A physical model of the heavens, composed of an exterior skeleton of rings (Latin: armilla) representing the degrees of celestial longitude and latitude and other astronomically important features such as the ecliptic.

Ecliptic: The great circle on the celestial sphere representing the sun's apparent path during the year, so called because eclipses can only occur when the moon crosses it.

Order of Preachers: Also known as the Dominicans; a religious order of the Catholic Church founded in 1216. The San Marco convent in Florence was a major center of Dominican intellectual life during the Renaissance.