The Five Books of M. Manilius, Containing a System of the Ancient Astronomy and Astrology: Together with The Philosophy of the Stoicks.
London: Jacob Tonson, 1697. Hardcover. Small 8vo. Quarter brown calf with gilt spine lettering, rules and devices and tan cloth over boards. 68pp, 134pp, 88pp, (6pp index), errata. Marbled endpapers, frontispiece, 5 full-page plates, tables. Very good overall. Mild wear to this early 20th century binding, with some miniscule chips at head of spine and front cloth a bit rubbed; text block tight and mildly to moderately age toned, with occasional small stains, some inoffensive spotting to half-title and frontispiece. Item #52894
Sound attractive first complete translation (following Edward Sherburne's partial 1675 translation) of this first century AD work by a Roman poet about whom almost nothing is known -- yet it presents the state-of-the-art in astronomical knowledge of the time. Translated by the English educator and translator of classical works Thomas Creech (1659-1700) -- not so noted in the book, although the gilt spine lettering on this copy notes "Manilius / Creech." It sold well enough that Tonson published a second edition three years later. The first edition is rarely seen and this is a quite respectable example.
Price: $2,500.00