STIFEL, Michael.

Ein Rechen Büchlin vom EndChrist. Apocalypsis in Apocalypsim.

      19 October 1533 at 8.00 AM .... the end of the world Wittemberg, (Georgen Rhaw, 1532). 8vo. Later half ivory paper, boards covered with marbled paper, spine with title label. Title-page in architectural woodcut frame with lion laying at the bottom, second title-page of the prayer printed in upper part of a full-page woodcut with a shield at the top lettered 'GR/KK', and a Crucifixion in the lower part, contemporary coloured by hand in green and red, woodcut initials, printed tables. 103 lvs. (Collation: A-M8, N8-1 (last (blank ?) missing). First and only edition of this curious numerological analysis of the date of Christ's return and chiliastic book on the end of the world based on certain sections of the Book of Daniel, by Michael Stifel.Michael Stifel (1487-1567) was an eccentric German mathematician. He discovered logarithms and invented an early form of logarithm tables decades before John Napier. He published his most important 'serious work', his Arithmetica integra in 1544. This work has helped the development of algebra, and he helped to shape modern mathematics. However his following ideas on the end of the world most likely overshadow the good he has done:Stifel entered the Augustinian monastery and became a catholic priest in 1511. Soon after this, Stifel began questioning the Catholic Church and he was forced to leave the monastery in 1522. He decided to go to Wittenberg and became friends with Martin Luther, and lived in his house for a time. In 1528 Luther decided to give Stifel a parish in Lochau, which is now Annaberg.Already in Lochau he was engaged in mathematical research, especially with the so-called 'Wortrechnung' (reckoning with figures, letters and words). With the help of the 'Wortrechnung' it was believed to get secret information out of the Bible. In the present work Stifel attempted to use the Bible to predict the apocalypse. While in Lochau, Stifel announced to everyone that the world was going to end on October 19, 1533 at exactly 8:00 AM. Stifel performed a series of calculations in which he changed the letters to their successive triangular numbers. Stifel told the people of Lochau of his findings on New Year's Eve of 1522. This announcement had amazing repercussions. The sleepy town of Lochau believed Stifel. They all began living for the day and not worrying about what the future would bring. Lochau became a destination for pilgrims. Once they got to Lochau people began to prepare for the end of the world. Some people even took their own life instead of waiting. Some of the town's people burned their houses in an attempt to remove themselves from material objects and make it easier for to get to Heaven. Finally, the last day came and Stifel began to prepare his followers for the end. Fortunately for everyone except Stifel the world did not end that day. At 8:30 AM the authorities took Stifel away and put him in protective custody, for his own protection. Crowds gathered outside his cell and chanted Stifel must die for many days after this. Martin Luther got Stifel out of this, but he had to promise not to make anymore prophecies. In later years he became minister again and in 1559 he was appointed Professor of Mathematics at the University of Jena, where he died in 1567.Contents: f. A1r: Title.F. A1v-A2r: Contents.f. A2v-A3v: Preface.f. A3v-K3v: Text chapter I - XVIII.f. K4r-K5v: 'Beschlus dieses Böchlins'.f. K6r-K8r: 'Die Tafel der Wort die man legen sol'.f. K8V: 'Volget ein Sermon vom Ende der Welt': announcement of the following prayer on the end of the world.f. L1r: Title of the prayer: 'Vom End der Welt' in woodcut border with crucifixion (verso blank).f. L2r-N2v: Text of the prayer.f. N3r-N7v: the three additions.f. N7v: 'Diese nahmen und wort findestu nicht inn der ersten Tafel'. Good copy.- (Some soiling and browning and water staining towards the end, small tear in f. E8) VD16, S-9014 (and 9018: the same ed.!).