The Death of Astrology
L’Astrologia convinta di Falso col mezzo di nuove esperienze, e Ragioni Fisico-Astronomiche, ó sia la Caccia del Frugnuolo…
Fine engraved port. of the author holding a telescope. xiv (i.e. xvi), 158 (i.e. 160) pp. 4to, cont. limp boards (boards slightly soiled, minor spotting), uncut. Venice: F. Nicolini, 1685.
First edition and a lovely copy in original state. This book, a summary of Montanari’s battles against astrology, aroused great interest and brought about the banning of astrology from the universities. In this work, Montanari “instead of merely fulminating against astrology or repeating old arguments, attempted to show its falsity by experiments as well. His book is furthermore written in a sober, dispassionate and impartial manner which accords well with experimental science.”–Thorndike, VIII, p. 342.
Montanari (1633-87), professor of mathematics at the University of Bologna, was in large part responsible for laying the groundwork for the extraordinary flowering of science in Bologna at the beginning of the 18th century. His greatest achievements were in astronomy, particularly in the study of variable stars.
Fine copy. Initials of “AP” at foot of title. Doodle in lower blank margin of portrait.
❧ D.S.B., IX, pp. 484-87. Riccardi, II, 175.
Price: $2,950.00
Item ID: 5739
