The First Great Commercial Arithmetic

In speaking of the first printed arithmetic (Treviso, 1478), in an article which recently appeared in Isis (vol. VI, pages 311-331), the present writer mentioned the fact that in the decade 4480 to 1490 there were at least sixty-three mathematical works printed in Italy. Among these was the Nobel opera de arithmetica, as the name appears in the first edition, or the Libro dabacho (or Libro de Abacho) as it appears later. It is now proposed to set forth some of the details relating to this work which, although the second commercial arithmetic in point of time, may Iproperly be called the first one of considerable importance and influence in this field. The work first appeared from the Venetian press of RATDOLT in 1484. The author was (( PIERO borgi da veniesia ), as the name appears in the first edition, or PIETRo BORGO or BORGHI as in later editions. All that is known of the man is contained in the two words ( da veniesia ). Like most Venetians, his life was absorbed in the life of the state for which he lived and labored. To write, as the Proemio states, for ( mei signori Merchadanti Venetiani . was sufficient honor. He died, it would seem, after 1494, but as to when or where he was born or where he died no record seems to