Monumenti Veneziani di varia Letteratura per la prima volta pubblicati.. by [MORELLI, Jacopo]

Engraved frontis., engraved coat-of-arms of the Pisani family on title, & three engraved headpieces. 4 p.l. (incl. frontis.), 12, LI pp. Large 4to, orig. pink printed boards with the coat-of-arms of the Pisani family (head & foot of spine a bit worn). Venice: C. Palese, 1796. First edition of this collection of hitherto unpublished letters including an extremely important one from Galileo addressed to the Doge of Venice in which he describes his invention of the telescope and lists its many applications. He stated it was particularly useful for the military, both on land and at sea. Following Galileo's letter is printed a decree from the Venetian Senate, dated 25 August 1609, in which they thank Galileo and award him 1000 florins annually. Fine copy in original state and preserved in a box. ❧ Carli & Favaro 629. Cinti 183. Drake, Galileo at Work, pp. 139-42.