Milestones of Science Books

VOSSIUS, Isaac.

Variarum Observationum Liber; Observationum ad Pomp. Melam Appendix.

London: Robert Scott, 1685.

1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Item #004056

1685-1686. 4to (230 x 172 mm). Two parts in one volume (including Appendix). [8], 398, [2]; [4], 136 pp., including woodcut initials, diagrams and illustrations in text, full page engraved map on p. 13, full page woodcuts on pp. 104, 108, 112 and 119, errata leaf for part I bound after p. [398], errata leaf for part II bound after part title. Contemporary French mottled calf, spine with 5 raised bands, morocco lettering piece and rich gilt decoration in compartments, sprinkled edges, original endpapers (joints partly split at head but cords holding firmly, spine ends chipped, extremities rubbed, corners worn). Light even browning internally, minor dust-soiling at upper -margin in places, light occasional spotting; final 4 pages browned at outer margings from binder's glue. Provenance: Joseph Dupis (inscription on rear pastedown); Domus Aquensis Societatis Jesu (bookplate to front pastedown and ink inscription and small stamp to first title). Very good, wide margined copy. ----

First collected edition of essays, some of which had already appeared separately. Contains treatises on astronomy (moon rings), antique Rome, the great cities of China, the arts and sciences in China, the invention of gunpowder, the Northeast Passage ("De Patefacienda per Septentrionum ad Japonenses et Indos Navigatione"), and Sibylline prophecies, among other topics. "Vossius was a great admirer of Chinese discoveries and inventions" (Löwendahl). Bibliography: Löwendahl 179. - Visit our website to see more images!

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