David Mason Fine and Rare Books

ARATUS of SOLIS.
(Title in Greek) Phainomena kai Diosemeia.
Oxonii: E Theatro Sheldoniano, 1672. First Illustrated edition. Recently rebound in full dark brown calf, raised bands, after the period, (8), 147, (1); (12), 69, (1) p. [ 1, 4 leaves, A-Ff4]. With three leaves of plates (an engraved title and two folding star charts). Small wormhole in lower margin of first four leaves (not affecting text), top of one folding chart trimmed closely affecting the designation of two constellations, name at the top of the engraved title, rubberstamp on the verso of the last leaf of text but in fact a near fine copy.

ARATUS of SOLI [ca.315-245 BC) Greek didactic poet, a contemporary of Callimachus and Theocritus. He was invited to the court of Antigonus Gonatas of Macedonia but subsequently returned to Macedonia. The above work is a didactic poem on astronomy which has all the characateristics of the Alexandrian school of poetry. It was first published in 1474 and reprinted in 1499 but this is the first illustrated edition. Although Aratus was not well versed in astronomy, his poem attracted the favourable notice of distinguished specialists, such as Hipparchus, who wrote commentaries upon it. It enjoyed a high reputation with the Romans who translated it. The text of this edition was edited by John Fell, Dean of Christ Church College, who is considered the founder of the Oxford Press.

Wing A3596.