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 about De Cometis Libelli Tres. I. Astronomicus…II. Physicus…III. Astrologicus.

52 parts in 33 vols., plus three vols. of woodcuts, one vol. of Prefaces & “Grand Index,” and one vol. of “Addenda,” for a total of 38 volumes. Large 8vo, orig. wrappers (some rubbing & minor wear), new stitching. [Japan: ca. 1640-53].

Second edition to be published in Japan of “The Great Pharmacopoeia” [in Chinese: Ben cao gang mu [or] Pen Tshao Kang Mu], the largest and most complete work on materia medica of its time, by the father of Chinese pharmacy and one of the greatest of all physicians of China. All of traditional Chinese herbal medicine is based on this work.

Li Shih-Chen (1518-93), “was probably the greatest naturalist in Chinese history, and worthy of comparison with the best of the scientific men contemporary with him in Renaissance Europe. His scholarly approach to the wealth of previous literature makes him also the greatest Chinese historian of science before modern times, for his works are an unparalleled source of information on the development of biological and chemical knowledge in East Asia… More about Jutei Honzo komoku [Compendium of Materia Medica [or] The Great Pharmacopoeia].

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 about L’Astrologia convinta di Falso col mezzo di nuove esperienze, e Ragioni Fisico-Astronomiche, ó...

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 about Meridionalis Nuncius das ist Ein Wunder-seltzamer südischer Crinit- oder Comet-Stern, Welchen...

18 leaves. Small 4to, attractive modern marbled boards, red morocco lettering piece on spine. Wittenberg: C. Heyden, 1619.

First edition of this rare book which is considered by A.D.B. to be the author’s most important scientific work; it is a careful record of the third of the three bright comets of 1618-19. Schmidt (1570-1637), was “one of the last of the scholars of Germany who taught the language and literature of Greece in the spirit of Melanchthon. [Schmidt] was professor, first of Greek, and next of Mathematics, at Wittenberg. His principal work was an edition of Pindar, with a Latin translation and... More about Prodromus Conjunctionis Magnae, anno 1623. futurae. Das ist, Kurtzes und Einfeltiges, doch in...

One large woodcut diagram in the text. 24 unnumbered leaves. Small 4to, modern boards. Nuremberg: G. Schenck, 21 September 1502.

First edition; this is the first of only two books known to have been printed by Georg Schenck and the author’s only book. “In 1502 there was printed at Nürnberg a defense of astrology by Jakob Schonheintz, a doctor of arts and medicine and a Franconian. He signs his preface at Würzburg. The immediate occasion of this defense was ‘the impudence of a certain man who wishes himself to be considered a theologian, although he is anything else than one, who had attacked... More about Apologia Astrologie.