MAYER, J. T. (1723-62). Tabulæ motuum solis et lunæ, London, 1770, 4to, 2 folding plates, calf. FIRST EDITION of this work which "enabled the moon's celestial position on any standard meridian at any given time to be predicted within just over a degree."

MAYER, Johann Tobias (1723-62) [& Nevil MASKELYNE (1732-1811, editor)].  Tabulæ motuum solis et lunæ novæ et correctæ; auctore Tobia Mayer: quibus accedit methodus longitudinum promota, eodem auctore. Editæ jussu Præfectorum rei Longitudinariæ [English title:]  New and Correct Tables of the Motions of the Sun and Moon, by Tobias Mayer: to which is added the Method of Finding and Improving the Longitude Improved; by the same Author. Published by Order of the Commissioners of Longitude. London: "Typis Gulielmi et Johannis Richardson: prostat venalis apud Johannem Nourse, Johannem Mount et Thomam Page," 1770. 4to (260 x 205mm). Latin title within double rule border, 2 folding engraved plates, tables, title and text in Latin and English, index and errata leaf, one-page of publisher's advertisements at the end (later blank leaf detached at the front, some very light mainly marginal staining). Contemporary speckled calf, spine gilt with remnants of red morocco lettering-piece (joints split, inner hinges weak, the spine heavily rubbed and scuffed, the boards more lightly rubbed and scuffed). Provenance: Sigurd von Numers (modern signature on the later detached blank leaf; please see note to lot 304). FIRST EDITION of the German astronomer Johann Tobias Mayer's posthumously published work, including his lunar and solar tables, which "... enabled the moon's celestial position on any standard meridian at any given time to be predicted within just over a degree" (Norman). Nevil Maskelyne (1732-1811), the British Astronomer Royal, edited Mayer's original manuscripts, which had been submitted to the British Admiralty, for publication in the present form. The Latin text is followed by the English, rather than running in parallel. Norman 1468.