ZURICH.- On 20 September, Koller will be presenting the first edition of Isaac Newton’s “Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica” (Mathematical principles of natural philosophy), published in London 1687 – one of the most important scientific books of all times. No other work has had such a tremendous impact on the scientific world-view of modern times until Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, as Newton’s ground-breaking law of universal gravitation and classical mechanics. Due to this masterpiece, the universe became a describable entity. The copy on offer at Koller has a very important provenance: It used to belong to the Basel University Library and contains highly interesting scientific annotations which are clearly from the circle of the Bernoulli mathematicians’ dynasty in Basel. In the 19th century, the library sold the present copy as a duplicate. Later, it was owned by the Federal Observatory in Zurich and from the observatory, via an exchange for another important object, entered the art market where it was bought by a Swiss private collector. Now this impressive work is on offer at Koller Auctions at an estimated price of CHF 350 000 to 550 000 (lot 353).

In the 16th century, Peter Apian created his “Astronomicum Caesareum”. Already in 1540, he wrote down his observations regarding the planetary movements and was able to make them comprehensible, even to laymen, by means of mechanical models. This book is considered to be one of the most attractively printed books ever and is considered the last important work of Ptolemaic astronomy, in which the earth is depicted as the center of the universe. The copy on auction contains numerous movable disks that serve to explain the constellations of the stars. This very rare book is estimated at CHF 600 000 to 800 000 (lot 402).

The third book highlight is Maria Sibylla Merian’s treatise on the development of caterpillars, “Der Rupsen Begin, voedzel en Wonderbaare Verandering” (The Cater- pillars' marvelous transformation and strange floral food). This masterpiece consists of three parts in one volume and contains 150 hand-colored copper plates in the highly rare back-pressure variant. Koller will offer this work at CHF 120 000 to 160 000 (lot 329).

Old Master Paintings
Significant still lifes and late-Gothic Italian work
The Old Master Paintings on offer at the auction on 19 September still lifes include still lifes by important artists such as Jan Mortel. His two oils (both 87.4 x 68.9 cm) featuring flowers and fruit are estimated at CHF 120 000 to 180 000 each (lots 3053 and 3054). The two copper plates by Jan Brueghel the Elder (each measuring 27.5 x 36.2) depict a winter landscape with bird snaring and a riverscape with bathers, and will be presented with an estimate of CHF 180 000 / 200 000 and CHF 160 000 / 180 000 (Lots 3043 and 3044). An allegory of the Five Senses by the Antwerp master Simon de Vos will be offered at CHF 150 000 to 200 000. This oil on copper painting which was created in 1640 shows a cheerful party in a festive interior (lot 3052). The so-called “Master with the Parrot”, who was active in Antwerp circa 1520/1530, is represented with a 50 x 38.5 cm oil on panel depicting the Virgin Mary and Child, estimated at CHF 250 000 to 350 000 (lot 3008).

Among the late-Gothic Italian works which are being offered at this auction is a panel from the workshop of Mariotto di Nardo who was active from 1394 to 1424. The 71 x 42 cm painting of the Virgin Mary and Child enthroned and surrounded by saints will be offered at CHF 120 000 to 180 000 (lot 3003).

Silver, Porcelain, Faience and Glass
Important majolica and a travel set by Charles Nicolas Odiot
Among the highlights of the porcelain and faience Auction are two important, 48 cm majolica “Istoriato albarelli a quartieri” from Faenza, manufactured in the years 1540/1550. Both vessels have been part of the important Scalea Collection in Paler- mo, and were provided by a Roman private collector. The pieces are each estimated at CHF 90 000 to 120 000 (lots 1729 and 1730). There are also several interesting small collector’s items from Meissen on offer, such as the pilgrim’s bottle with floral decoration (lot 1762, CHF 3 000 / 5 000) and the rare Lidded Pot with “Augsburger Goldchinesen” (lot 1763, CHF 8 000 / 12 000).

The silver auction features a travel set from Paris, made in the first half of the 19th century, with the maker’s mark of the silversmith Charles Nicolas Odiot. This com- prehensive, parcel-gilt service for four persons formerly belonged to a Bohemian no- ble family. The travel set weighs approximately 23.6 kilos and is estimated at CHF 46 000 to 66 000 (lot 1927).

Jewellery and Watches
Large selection of diamond jewellery
The top lot of the jewellery auction is a diamond ring set in platinum, weighing over 5 carat, and is estimated at CHF 200 000 to 300 000 (lot 2165). In addition, many other modern and older diamond jewellery items will be available at the auction on 16 September, such as the drop-shaped solitaire ring weighing 6.18 carat by René Kern for CHF 180 000 to 280 000 (lot 2202) and the opulent diamond ring by Sterle (5.28 carat) from the 1960s for CHF 75 000 to 100 000 (lot 2185).

Old Master Prints and Drawings
Von Alt, Canaletto and Delacroix
The studies for a View of Prague in black crayon and water color, from 1849, by the Viennese artist Rudolph von Alt will be up for auction at Koller on 19 September at an estimated price of CHF 12 000 to 15 000 (lot 3492). An etching depicting the ruins of the Pirna Suburb, from 1766, by Canaletto is estimated at CHF 6 000 to 8 000 (lot 3650). Eugène Delacroix is represented with his work depicting Jean Marot presenting his manuscript to Anne of Britain (lot 3466, CHF 7 000 / 10 000). The water color “View of Lake Lucerne” by Edward Theodore Comton (lot 3613, CHF 6 000 / 8 000) is a highlight of the Helvetica on offer.