Astrolearn Vintage Astrology CD 4:
William Ramesey, John Bishop, John Gadbury
Contents of CD 4:
This particular CD contains the scans of four original antiquarian volumes from Astrolearn’s private collection, as detailed below:
- Ramesey, William, Gent., Student in Astrology and Physick ‘Vox Stellarum. Or, The Voice of the Starres: Being a Short Introduction to the Judgement of Eclipses, and the Annuall Revolutions of the World: Wherein is handled Astrologically, The Ingresse of the Sun into the Tropick and AEquinoctiall signes 1652, Together with the Solar and two Lunar Eclipses in the same yeare, being a probable Judgement of that years affairs in generall; whether plenty or scarcity, wars or peace, health or sicknes may be expected’ Printed for T. H. and Jo. Collins, and are to be sold at his shop in Little Britain, neere the Church, London, 1652. Leather (wear to outer corners of boards). (Internal front and rear paper hinges split, but binding strong beneath. Title page torn and creased down part of inner margin. Slight marginal chipping to final leaf, and occasional small marginal chips lost from other leaves.) [14] + 137 + [7]
- Ramesey, William, Gent., Student in Astrologie, Physick, and the most Heavenly and Sublime Sciences ‘Astrologia Restaurata; or, Astrologie Restored: being an Introduction to the General and Chief part of the Language of the Stars. In Four Books. The First, Proving the Legality of Astrologie, both by Scripture, Reason, and the testimony of the Ancients and learned in former Ages, wherein is cleared to every Rational and Impartial man the Authors Lux Veritatis in Answer to Doctor Homes, to remain unshaken notwithstanding the Doctors unowned Reply. The Second, By a plain Method teaching the Names and Characters of the Planets and Signs, as also the Reasons thereof: and of their Dignities, Terms, Faces, Houses, Exaltations and Triplicities; with the Reasons why the Signs are reckoned from Aries; and in number just twelve; and neither more nor less; with the number of the Sphears; their Order and Motions: being a most necessary Introduction to the whole Art, and very usefull to all wel-willers thereunto for inabling them to give Reasons for any part thereof, &c. The Third, Fully comprehending Instructions and Rules for electing any manner of Work; never before made publique in our Mother Tongue; the which both for the Administration of Physick, Letting of Blood, Husbandry and other necessary Works is both usefull and profitable. The Fourth, By a most easie Introduction teacheth, by Revolutions of the Years of the World, Eclipses, great Conjunctions, Comets and Blazing-stars, how to Judge by the ordinary course and order of Nature, of the general Accidents of Countreys, Kingdoms, Provinces and Cities, Alterations of Kingdoms and Empires, Laws and Customs, Cause of Plenty, Dearth, Wars, Peace, Health, Sickness, Alteration of the Ayr, and (to be short) of all things appertaining to the life of man in a Natural Way; wherein is the infinite Wisdom of God seen manifestly in the Government of the World by the Influence and constant Harmony of the Celestial Planets and Stars; the Innocency, Legality and Purity of the Art demonstrated, and proved by demonstration of the inevitable events of the Heavens, so long as God upholdeth the Order and Course of Nature unperverted; and the Students thereof consequently proved rather Divines then Conjurers or Practisers of what is unlawfull. With a Table of the most material things therein contained[1]’ Published by Authority; printed for Robert White, and are to be sold at the Gun at the West-end of Pauls, London, 1654[2]. Leather (front board detached). [2 single-sided leaves] + [4] + 29 + [3] + 38 + [2 single-sided leaves] + [5] + [2] + [pp. 49-112] + [2 single-sided leaves] + [8] + [pp. 121-202] + [2 single-sided leaves] + [6] + [pp. 213-333] + [6] + [12]
- Bishop, John (attrib.) ‘The Marrow of Astrology. In Two Books. Wherein is contained the Natures of the Sines and Planets, with their several Governing Angels, according to their Respective Hierarchies. And the Method of Directions according to the AEgyptians and Chaldeans, with several other useful Examples. Also a Table of Houses, exactly calculated for the Latitude of London, with Tables of the Mundane Aspects, and all that is requisite for the Rectifying and Directing Nativities; according to the true Intent and Meaning of Ptolomy: Wherein is discovered the Errors of most of our Modern Authors: Unto which is added an Appendix, Adapted to the Use and Illustration thereof, in a Nativity exemplified according to the Doctrine of Mundane Aspects. The like never done in English. Two which is prefix’d a Preface in Commendation of the Author and his Method, by Henry Coley’ Printed for William Fisher, and Richard Mount, at the Postern on Tower-Hill, London, 1689. Quarter-leather with paper-covered boards. (Some damage to leaf comprising A Table of Twilight for the Latitude of 50 and 51 Degrees.) [1 leaf] + [9] + [4] + `121 + [1 leaf] + [4] + 81 + [15] + [1 leaf] + 6[3] + [pp. 9-11 (1)] + [pp 11 (2)-12] + [pp. 14-16].
- Gadbury, John ‘Nauticum Astrologicum; or, the Astrological Seaman; Directing Merchants, Mariners, Captains of Ships, Ensurers, &c. How (by God’s Blessing) they may escape divers Dangers which commonly happen in the Ocean. Unto which is added A Diary of the Weather for XXI Years together, Exactly observed in London, With Sundry Observations thereon. Being the Posthumous Work of John Gadbury, late Student in Physick and Astrology’ [Second Edition] – Printed for George Sawbridge, at the Three Golden Flower-de-luces in Little Britain, London, 1710. Half-leather (worn at top of spine and outer corners of boards) with cloth-covered boards. [1 leaf] + [6] + 155 pp + [p. 256] + [pp. 157-24] + [11]
[1] With additional sub-title page to Book I: “Astrology Fully Vindicated and Defended from all The Aspersions and Calymnies of the Antagonists thereof: As also its Legality and Verity proved, both by the Testimony of the Scriptures, Fathers, Antients, and the confession of Councels: With a clear Vindication of the AUthors Lux Veritatis, from the vilifying Reproaches of Dr. Homes and his Second; and that the purity of the Science remaineth still untainted, notwithstanding all their Reply”. With additional title page to Book II: “An Introduction to the Iudgement of the Stars. Wherein the whole Art of Astrology Is plainly Taught, and the Ground-work or Reasons thereof for the benefit of the Students therein delivered, the better to confirm them in every point thereof; as also to satisfie such who shall either enviously or ignorantly traduce or cavil against it” Printed for R. W., London, 1653. With additional title page to Book III: “An Introduction to Elections, Fully comprehending The Rules of the Ancients in Electing a Time for any manner of Work: Never beforemade publique in our Mother Tongue. But now (by the Blessing of God) for the benefit of all true Lovers of knowledge sent abroad” Printed for R. W., London, 1653. With additional title page to Book IV: “Astrologia Munda or Astrology in its Purity: Being a Short but Compendious Introduction to the Iudging of the Annual or Yearly Revolutions of the World; by which, as also Eclipses, Great Coniunctions, Comets, and Blazing-Stars Are Iudged (by the ordinary Course and Order of Nature) the general accidents of Countries, Kingdoms, Provinces and Cities, alterations of Kingdoms and Empires, Laws and Customs, cause of Plenty, Dearth, Wars, Peace, Health, Sickness, alteration of the Ayr, and (to be short) of all things appertaining to the life of Man in a natural way; wherein the Infinite WIsdom of God is seen manifestly in the Government of the World by the Influence and constant Harmony of the Celestial Planets and Stars; the Innocency, Legality and Purity o the Art demonstrated, and proved by Demonstration of the Inevitable Events of the Heavens, so long as God upholdeth the order and course of Nature unperverted; And the Students thereof consequently proved rather Divines then Conjurers or Practisers of what is unlawful” Printed by R. W., London, 1653.
[2] The 2nd issue of the original edition, first published 1653. This copy lacks the occasionally-present frontispiece portrait of Ramesey, which appears to be missing from the vast majority (75-80%) of surviving copies that appear for sale, suggesting that it was probably not issued in the first place in most cases. A facsimile of the frontis. is included at the start of the Ballantrae Reprint of the 1653 edition, q. v. below. There was also a 1655 imprint, which is scarcer than either of the first two (photographs of a copy at auction were witnessed by me some years ago)
[3] NB: content is continuous between pp. 6 and 9 of the final part and between pp. 12 and 13 of same.