De anni climactericis et antiqua astrologia diatribe. Amsterdam, Elzevier Press, 1648
SALMASIUS, (Claudius), 1588-1653
Title-page in red and black, numerous small illustrations and astrological woodcut diagrams in text.
Sm. 8vo. [64]ff. 844pp. [10]ff.(last leaf blank). Contemporary vellum, double gilt fillet with small gilt fleuron at each corner, sp 1648
Excellent copy of the first edition of this strong attack on astrology which the author considered to be unreliable and an indication of human vanity. Salmasius believed that the new interest in the subject bore little relation to the old art of astrology and criticised the gross errors made by Arabic translators; he also maintained that the signs of the zodiac were modern creations. His attacks were more convincing and more original than those which had been made before, since they relied more on history and scholarship, instead of a defence of religion.
A fresh copy.
Willems 644. Caillet 9918. Thorndike VII, 103-4.
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