'Historia Coelestis...'
Reference code
STU/04
Title
'Historia Coelestis...'
Date
1742
Level of description
Item
Extent and format
pp. xi + 125 (irregular) with unnumbered material at each end, and throughout.
Quarto.
Leather binding, brown, arms of Montagu on each cover. On the front pastedown the Hanoverian royal arms, and bookplate of the St John family. Engraving of an astronomical sphere laid down on the back pastedown. Presentation plate of K. S. Jewson, 12 Dec. 1958. A.J., 39 (1959), 353.
Quarto.
Leather binding, brown, arms of Montagu on each cover. On the front pastedown the Hanoverian royal arms, and bookplate of the St John family. Engraving of an astronomical sphere laid down on the back pastedown. Presentation plate of K. S. Jewson, 12 Dec. 1958. A.J., 39 (1959), 353.
Scope and content
'Historia Coelestis or The History of the Heavens, being an explication of the Asterisms of the Coelestiall Sphere; whence the origin of Idolatry, and first deviation from the Patriarchal, and true Religion' by Dr William Stukeley. Interpretations of constellations and signs of the zodiac, suggesting identifications with biblical and mythological figures, e.g. Aquarius as Cain/Ganymede, Bootes as Noah. With wash drawings by Stukeley, e.g. 'Noah's Ark as originally design'd in the heavens'. Critical typescript notes by Walter Sampson inserted. Tipped in before p. 124 notes by Stukeley, on the verso of a letter from John Robinson relating to Lady Betty Germain's stewardship, 25 Jan. 1753. Index and Proem, pp. i-xi.
Creator
Stukeley, William (1687-1765), Anglican clergyman, physician, antiquary and archaeologist
Previous reference number(s)
SAL/MS/806