EPHEMERIDES NAUTICAS OU DIARIO ASTRONOMICO (1788) "Nautical Journal or Astronomical Diary"

"Nautical Journal, or Astronomical Diary for the year 1789, which contains all the necessary elements for determining Latitude at sea, not only for the meridian height of the Sun; but also for that of the Moon, the greater Planets, and the fixed Stars, with the distances from the moon to the sun, and the stars, for determining the ship's longitude at any time, and the method of deducing it. Calculated for the meridian of Lisbon, and published by order of the Royal Academy of Sciences for the use of Portuguese navigation, and enlargement of our Astronomy."

Later crimson leather binding in the style of the original. Spine with raised bands in five compartments. Gilt titles on spine and gilt borders on front and rear panels. Marbled endpapers. Woodcut arms of Academia Real das Sciencias on title page. Numerous tables in text.

 x + 184 pp., (including last 2 pp. Index).

Published in 1788, this is the FIRST and ONLY EDITION of this Portuguese nautical and astronomical almanac for the year 1789.

It is the first in a number of similar volumes which were published annually, up until 1805, by the Portuguese Royal Academy of Science. Some additional volumes were published for later years; all are rare as they were published for practical use for journeys across the Atlantic, or other seas, on board Portuguese vessels.

The author, Custodio Gomes de Villas-Boas (1741-1808), was a member of the Portuguese Royal Academy of Science and of the Royal Naval Academy. He was an artillery officer, student of mathematics, and Governor of Valença. He made numerous contributions to the Royal Academy of Science on navigation and astronomy, and, jointly with Francisco Antonio Ciera, translated Flamsteed's Atlas Coelestis (Celestial Atlas) into Portuguese, with revisions and corrections.