Astronomical Images : Back, or dorsum, of astrolabe

Jacob Koebel

Astronomical Images

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Jacob Koebel was a surveyor and practical mathematician in Oppenheim, near Mainz. He was also a prolific printer and publisher of his own works and those of others. After publishing <i>Elucidatio fabricae ususque astrolabii</i> by his friend, Johann Stoeffler, in 1524, Koebel went on to produce his own treatise on the astrolabe ' a much shorter and simpler version than Stoeffler's, but following the same basic structure. Thus, Koebel's tract also begins with a practical section on the construction and uses of the astrolabe, its application to astrology and the use of the quadrant in surveying. The book proved popular, as Stoeffler's had done. This is the second edition, which presented more elaborate illustrations than the original work. This illustration of the back of an astolabe was made by reusing a block from the earlier volume, with the addition of allegorical figures to either side. Koebel also provided further woodcuts of latitude plates and augmented his section on surveying by copying or reusing a number of blocks from Stoeffler's <i>Elucidatio fabricae ususque astrolabii</i>.</p>