Large engraved vignette on title. 16 unnumbered leaves. Small 4to, attractive modern marbled boards. Leipzig: C. Kirchner, n.d [1664 or 1665].

First edition of this most uncommon account of the 1664 comet, visually the most impressive of the 17th century. It was observed by many of the greatest scientists of the period including Cassini and Borelli in Italy, Auzout and Petit in France, Hooke in England, and Samuel Danforth in North America.

In this work, Praetorius uses the pseudonym of Johannes Richter, “astrophilo.” Praetorius (1630-80), “had an open eye and a sharp ear for all wonder stories, witch tales, and... More