Numerous woodcuts in the text. 35 parts in 16 vols. 8vo, orig. wrappers, new stitching. [China]: Xue ku shan fang, 1890.

Second edition (1st ed.: 1880) of the compiler Gu’s collection of writings by Zewei Bu and Bingzhong Liu (both Tang dynasty, 618-907) on feng shui, divination, geomancy, and Chinese astrology. Both the 1880 edition and our edition are very rare. The texts, which first appeared in the 17th century, have remained very popular, and there is also a 1970 (quite wretched) reprint.

Our edition was edited by Zhimo Xu, who lived in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The texts include Bu’s Xue xin fu, which... More

Two folding woodcut plates, three folding printed tables (plus two in duplicate), & several woodcuts in the text. 4 p.l., 138 pp., one blank leaf. 4to, antique 18th-century style calf-backed boards. Augsburg: Typis A. Apergeri, sumptibus S. Mylii, 1619–[20].

First edition, and a very good copy of a rare book; it contains the second observation of Halley’s comet. In this work, Kepler “discussed in detail the bright comets of 1607 and 1618. Reflecting on the ephemeral nature of comets, he proposed a strictly rectilinear trajectory, which of course appeared more complex because of the earth’s motion. Some decades later Edmond Halley made extensive... More

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... More

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 accounts of ghosts... More

[Edited by Johannes Angelus]. White-on-black woodcut initials & a large woodcut printer’s device in red at end. [156] unnumbered leaves (final two signatures bound at front in this copy, first few leaves a little frayed & lightly stained around margins), 40 lines, Gothic letter. 4to (220 x 164 mm.), cont. limp vellum (a little wrinkled). Augsburg: E. Ratdolt, 1490.

[bound with]:

ANGELUS (or ENGEL), Johannes. Astrolabium planum in Tabulis ascendens… Numerous woodcuts in the text, 7- & 12-line white-on-black woodcut initials. [176] unnumbered leaves (the final two are blank, four leaves misbound), 40 lines, Gothic letter. 4to (single small puncture hole in gutter in the second... More

Title with two fine woodcut vignettes, final leaf with a fine & large woodcut on verso, and numerous woodcut diagrams & printed tables in the text. Many fine woodcut initials. 8 p.l., clii numbered leaves. Folio, cont. richly blindstamped pigskin over bevelled wooden boards (two corners a little worn, first five leaves with unimportant marginal wormhole, second leaf with three small pale ink splatters), orig. clasps & catches. Nuremberg: J. Montanus & U. Neuber, 1545.

[bound with]:

APIAN, Peter & JABIR IBN AFLAH. Instrumentum Primi Mobilis, à Petro Apiano nunc primum et inventum et in lucem editum…Accedunt ijs Gebri filii Affla Hispalensis…Libri IX. de Astronomia... More