This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/25/2024
[HERMETIC PHILOSOPHY]. CAMPANELLA, Tommaso (1568-1639). Astrologicorum Libri VII In Quibus Astrologia Omni Superstitione Arabum & Judaeorum Eliminata, Physiological Tractatur. Lyon: Jacques, André & Mathieu Prost, 1630. Small 4to. Illustrated with woodcut astrological or astronomical diagrams and tables in text; title-page with woodcut printer’s device, woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces. [vi], 1-232, [6, “Horaria tempora…”], [2, blank], 24 pp. Approximately 8 ¾ x 6”. Text in Latin. Bound in 17th century speckled sheep, spine tooled and lettered in gilt in compartments, five raised bands (rebacked preserving most of the original spine, some wear, soiling to binding, free endpapers lacking, worm damage to pastedowns and title-page, later red pencil markings on fp and several leaves throughout, hinges starting, contemporary ink notations on title-page, text toned, foxed). Very good. FIRST EDITION, SECOND ISSUE. Campanella’s chief work on astrology, including the controversial Book VII De siderali fato vitando, which describes the magical rituals performed by Campanella for Pope Urban VIII in 1628. Campanella wanted to “interpret the general patterns of the most significant events in the history of humanity in the light of precise astral facts. Events such as the migration of peoples, changes in the climate, the rise and fall of empires and religions do not take place by accident, but can be associated with particular astral conditions. From this point of view, astrology becomes a necessary compass to find one’s way through the forest of universal history.” (Paola Zambelli, ed., Astrologi Hallucinati: Stars and the End of the World in Luther’s Time, p. 268).