Copernican Treasure in the University Library in Toruń
One of the 14 copies of the first Polish edition of "De revolutionibus" is preserved in the University Library in Toruń. The story highlights its most significant features.
By Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Liliana Lewandowska, Dominik M. Piotrowski
Portrait of Nicolaus Copernicus 1473–1543 (1852) by Jan Feliks PiwarskiNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Mikołaj Kopernik (1473-1543)
Lawyer, official, diplomat, physician, and Catholic clergyman, a doctor of canon law, engaged in astronomy and astrology, mathematics, economics, military strategy, cartography, and philology, author of many works e.g. the astronomical treatise "De revolutionibus", 1543.
The last moments of Copernicus (1884) by Aleksander LesserNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
First edition
The first edition of "De revolutionibus" by Nicolaus Copernicus was published in the workshop of Johannes Petreius in Nuremberg and reached the hands of readers in 1543.
The Volumes of "De revolutionibus"
Research conducted by American scholar Owen Gingerich yielded fascinating results, revealing nearly 280 copies of "De revolutionibus" scattered around the world.
Polish volumes
As many as fourteen of these findings are located in Poland, in Krakow, Wroclaw, Poznan, Torun, Warsaw, Kornik, and Plock.
De Revolutionibus [Astronarium 163]
Atlas Novvs Coelestis In Qvo Mvndvs Spectabilis (1742) by Johann Gabriel DoppelmayrNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Significance for humanity
This work had immense significance for science, culture, and human thought. Copernicus' proposal of shifting the center of the planetary system from Earth to the Sun was a revolutionary step in the development of astronomy and science as a whole.
Change
It had a tremendous impact on changing the way we perceive our place in the universe and paved the way for further discoveries and space exploration.
De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI (1543) by Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Nicolai Copernici Torinensis De Revolvtionibvs
The copy of "De revolutionibus" belonging to the University Library in Toruń is recorded in the inventory under the signature Pol.6.III.142.
Provenance
It has a documented provenance from the era of printing. Presumably, shortly after being printed, it became part of the collections of the so-called Castle Library of Duke Albrecht Hohenzollern (1490–1568).
In the Castle Library
It was recorded in the catalog of the Castle Library by its first librarian, Felix König Polyphema (1500–1549).
De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI (1543) by Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Gift
He might have been a gift from the canon of Warmia and a friend of Nicolaus Copernicus, Georg Donner, to the Prussian prince.
From Königsberg to Toruń
Over time, the volume ended up in the State and University Library in Königsberg, and after World War II, it became a part of the collections of the University Library in Toruń.
De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI (1543) by Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
The Königsberg signature
On the title page of the print, there is a handwritten signature, Kk.36.I, added by another Duke's librarian, Heinrich Zell (1518–1564).
Binding
The copy of "De revolutionibus" in the possession of the University Library in Toruń was bound in the 16th century.
De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI (1543) by Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Kasper Angler's Workshop
The binding in oak boards covered with brown calf leather was crafted by the late Kasper Angler, a binder from Königsberg who passed away in 1565.
Decorations
The decorations of the binding consist of blind tooling with a plant-geometric and figural ornament.
De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI (1543) by Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Upper cover
On the upper cover, the inscription NICOLAI COPERNICI LIB[RI] VI is embossed.
De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI (1543) by Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Toruń copy
A distinctive feature of the Toruń copy is the trace of an unknown text printed next to the woodcut depicting the heliocentric model.
De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI (1543) by Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Mysterious trace
Presumably, this impression was created accidentally in the printing workshop, and the text does not originate from Copernicus's work.
De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI (1543) by Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Immaculate copy
The copy is devoid of any marginal notes. While perusing this volume from the princely library, witnessing the immaculateness of its pages might give the impression that it did not enjoy significant reader interest.
Absence of Reader Activity
The absence of traces of reader activity may, however, be a result not so much of a lack of interest in its content, but rather the prohibitions on using ink and writing in codices that prevailed in this library.
Modern Correction
However, traces of 17th or 18th-century corrections on individual pages (corrections, strikeouts, word replacements) indicate that the copy had its readers.
De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI De Revolvtionibvs Orbium coelestium, Libri VI (1543) by Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Striving for Textual Perfection
It's possible that users of Bibliotheca Nova in the Königsberg Castle reached for it, while the librarian, in his effort to refine it, aimed to shield potential readers from the imperfections of the "Petreian" text.
Joint Work
It is worth noting that the printing of "De revolutionibus" is accompanied by 2 related works on astronomical themes: "Poeticon Astronomicon" attributed to Hyginus (circa 100-200) (Cologne, 1534) and the 7th and 8th book of Ptolemy's "Almagest" (ca 100-ca 168) (Cologne, 1537).
Storyline and Preparation: Liliana Lewandowska, Dominik M. Piotrowski
Texts: Magdalena Awianowicz, Krzysztof Nierzwicki, Liliana Lewandowska
Photographies: Piotr Kurek
Biblioteka Uniwersytecka w Toruniu
The digital exhibition "De revolutionibus by Nicolaus Copernicus (1543) in Polish Libraries"
The scientific project "First Edition of 'De revolutionibus' by Nicolaus Copernicus in Polish Libraries"
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.