Bibliography of Astrology Page 178:
Sibly, Ebenezer – Sibly, Manoah
Sibly, Ebenezer, Astro. Philo. ‘A Complete Illustration of the Celestial Science of Astrology: Or, the Art of Foretelling Future Events and Contingencies, by the Aspects, Positions, and Influences of the heavenly Bodies; Founded on Natural Philosophy, Scripture, Reason, and the Mathematics. In Four Parts – Embellished with Curious Copper-Plates’ Printed for Green & Co., Mo. 176, Near Surry-Street, Strand, London, 1788 (overall title page)[1]. Cloth (library-rebound thus). (Lacks two of the called-for plates: ‘Four Twins’ which should be opposite p. 829, and ‘Head of Cicero’, which should be opposite p. 873.) [Frontis.] + [1] + viii + [pp. 13-28] + [pp. 39-70] + [Plate] + [pp. 71-106] + [plate] + [pp. 107-274] + [single-sided title leaf] + [pp. 277-390] + [plate] + [pp. 391-618] + [plate] + [pp. 619-756] + [folding table] + [pp. 757-792] + [plate] + [pp. 793-798] + [plate] + [pp. 799-844] + [plate] + [pp. 845-846] + [plate] + [pp. 847-852] + [plate] + [pp. 853-856] + [plate] + [857-866] + [plate] + [pp. 867-882] + [plate] + [pp. 883-888] + [plate] + [pp. 889 (1)-889 (2)] + [plate] + [pp. 891-892] + [plate] + [pp. 893-910] + [plate] + [pp. 911-914] + [single-sided title leaf] + [pp. 917-950] + [folding plate] + [pp. 951-964] + [plate] + [pp. 965-968] + [plate] + [pp. 969-987] + [pp. 989-991 (1)] + [pp. 991 (2) – 1038 (1)] + [pp. 1038 (2)-1041] + [pp. 1043-1052] + [plate] + [pp. 1053-1054] + [plate] + [pp. 1055-1056] + [single-sided title leaf] + [pp. 1059-1060] + [plate] + [pp. 1061-1098] + [plate] + [pp. 1099-1102] + [plate] + [pp. 1103-1106] + [plate] + [pp. 1107-1114] + [plate] + [pp. 1115-1126] + [p. 1125 (2)] + [3]
Sibly, E, M.D., F.R.H.S., the late ‘A New and Complete Illustration of the Celestial Science of Astrology; or, the Art of Foretelling Future Events and Contingencies, by the Aspects, Positions, and Influences of the heavenly Bodies. Founded on Natural Philosophy, Scripture, Reason, and the Mathematics. In which the abstruse Doctrine of the Stars, of Magic, Divination, Exorcism, and Familiarity with Spirits, vegetable, astral, and infernal – the Calculation of Nativities – Horary Questions – and the Astrological Prescience of Futurity – are clearly demonstrated and proved; and the Ability of doing it made easy to the meanest Capacity; and wherein all the interesting and important Matter, diffused throughout the scarce and valuable Writings of about five hundred ancient Historians and Philosophers, whose Works are now either wholly out of Print, or only to be found in the British Museum, or in some few of the public Libraries of Europe, are selected and combined. In Four Parts…[2]‘ The Thirteenth Edition[3] – [Ballantrae Reprint], no place stated, undated[4]. Laminated card covers. Bound by plastic comb threaded through holes punched in inner margins. [1 leaf] + [illustration] + [2] + [illustration] + [2] + [pp. v-xii] + [pp. 13-40] + [pp. 51[5]-70] + [pp. 61 (2) – 70 (2)] + [pp. 71-84] + [pp. 95-130] + [12] + [pp. 122 (2) – 130 (2)] + [pp. 131-140] + [pp. 145-164] + [pp. 171-190] + [pp. 181 (2) – 190 (2)] + [pp. 191-200] + [pp. 211-274]
Sibly, E., M.D., F.R.H.S. “An Illustration of the Celestial Science of Astrology. Part the Second. Containing the Doctrine of Nativities, and the Art of Resolving Horary Questions: Together with a Collection of Nativities of the most eminent and remarkable Persons, Twins, Dwarfs, Giants, &c.” [Ballantrae Reprint], no place stated, undated[6]. [1 leaf] + [pp. 277-290] + [pp. 281 (2) – 290 (2)] + [pp. 291-300] + [pp. 311-410] + [pp. 401 (2) – 410 (2)] + [pp. 411-420] + [pp. 431-470] + [pp. 461 (2) – 470 (2)] + [pp. 471-486] + [pp. 487-500 of tables] + [pp. 511-536 of tables] + [1 leaf] + [pp. 539-550 of tables] + [1 leaf] + [pp. 553-562 of tables] + [1 leaf] + [pp. 565-588 of tables] + [pp. 589-592] + [1 leaf] + [pp. 595-612 of tables] + [pp. 613-8]
Sibly, E., M.D., Of the King’s College in Aberdeen; and Fellow of the Harmonic Philosophical Society in Paris ‘A Complete Illustration of the Astrological and Occult Sciences; Comprehending The Art of Foretelling Future Events and Contingencies, by the Aspects, Positions, and Influences, of the Heavenly Bodies; Founded on Natural Philosophy, Scripture, Reason, and the Mathematics. – In Two Volumes – Embellished with Curious Copper-Plates – Volume the Second’ [Ballantrae Reprint], no place stated, undated[7]. (Defective copy: lacks pp. 742-3; pp. 788-9; and pp. 832-3. [8]) Laminated card covers. Bound by plastic comb threaded through holes punched in inner margins. [2 leaves] + [pp. 619-741] + [pp. 744-756] + [illustration] + [pp. 757-787] + [pp. 790-2] + [illustration] + [pp. 793-8] + [illustration] + [pp. 799-828] + [illustration] + [pp. 829-831] + [pp. 834-844] + [illustration] + [pp. 845-6] + [illustration] + [pp. 847-8] + [illustration] + [pp. 849-52] + [illustration] + [pp. 853-4] + [illustration] + [pp. 855-8] + [illustration] + [859-866] + [illustration] + [pp. 867-870] + [illustration] + [pp. 871-2] + [illustration] + [pp. 873-880] + [illustration] + [pp. 881-2] + [illustration] + [pp. 883-6] + [illustration] + [pp. 887-890] + [2 illustrations] + [pp. 891-2] + [illustration] + [pp. 893-910] + [illustration] + [pp. 911-914]
Sibly, Ebenezer, Astro. Philo. ‘An Illustration of the Celestial Science of Astrology. Part the Third, Containing the Meteorological Part of Uranology; with Certain Rules for prejudging the Revolutions of every Part of the habitable World. General Effects of Great Conjunctions, Eclipses, Comets, Blazing Stars, and other Extraordinary Phenomena: with the Art of Calculating Eclipses, Tides, and Weather, For any Number of Years to come. The Whole Illustrated by a Figure of the Sun’s Ingress into the Sign Aries; and by a Revolutional Figure of the Commencement of the American Empire’, bound with ‘An Illustration of the Celestial Science of Astrology. Part the Fourth. Containing the Distinction between Astrology, and the Wicked Practice of Exorcism. With a General Display of Witchcraft, Magic, and Divination, Founded upon the Existence of Spirits Good and Bad, and their Affinity with the Affairs of this World’ [Ballantrae Reprint], no place stated, undated[9]. (Defective copy: p. 964 missing.[10]) [1 leaf] + [pp. 917-949] + [2 pages of illustrations] + [pp. 950-963] + [illustration] + [pp. 965-971] + [2 pages of illustrations] + [pp. 972-1052] + [illustration] + [pp. 1053-4] + [illustration] + [pp. 1055-6] + [1 leaf] + [pp. 1059-1063] + [2 pages of illustrations] + [pp. 1064-1097] + [2 pages of illustrations] + [pp. 1098-1103] + [2 pages of illustrations] + [pp. 1104-6] + [illustration] + [pp. 1107-1114] + [illustration] + [pp. 1115-1130]
Sibly, E., M. D. F. R. H. S. ‘A Key to Physic, and the Occult Sciences. Opening to Mental View, the System and Order of the Interior and Exterior Heavens; the Analogy betwixt Angels, and Spirits of Men; and the Sympathy between Celestial and Terrestrial Bodies. From whence is Deduced, An obvious Discrimination of Future Events, in the Motions and Positions of the Luminaries, Planets, and Stars; the universal Spirit and Economy of Nature, in the Production of all Things; the Principles of etherial, and atmospherical Influx, in constituting the proper Recipient of Life; the active and passive Tinctures requisite in the Generation of Men and Brutes; and the Foundation and Necessity of that invisible Agitation of Matter, which stimulates and impels every living Creature to the Act of begetting its like; the Properties of Vegetable, Mineral, and Animal Magnetism: the fundamental Causes and Qualities, visible or occult, of all Diseases, both of Mind and Body, and the simple Modes prescribed by Nature for their Prevention and Cure. To which are added, Lunar Tables, calculated from Sidereal Motion; exhibiting upon the most simple, yet unerring Construction, the actual Moment of the Crisis of every Disease, and the consequent Termination thereof, whether for Life or Death. The Whole Forming An interesting Supplement to Culpeper’s Family Physician, and Display of the Occult Sciences; published for the good of all who search after Truth and Wisdom; to preserve to all the Blessings of Health and Life; and to give to all the Knowledge of Primitive Physic, and the Art of Healing’ Printed for the Author, and sold by Champante and Whitrow, Jewry-Street, Aldgate, and at the British Directory-Office, Ave-Maria Lane, London, undated[11]. Quarter-leather. [Coloured frontis.] + [2 leaves] + 8 + [coloured plate] + [pp. 9-28] + [coloured plate] + [pp. 29-62] + [coloured plate] + [pp. 63-74] + [coloured plate] + [pp. 75-246] + [coloured plate] + [pp. 247-256] + [coloured plate] + [pp. 257-260] + [coloured plate] + [pp. 261-312] + [two coloured plates] + [pp. 313-340] + [coloured plate] + [pp. 341-344] + [coloured plate] + [pp. 345-390] + [coloured plate] + [pp. 391-395] + [1][12]
Sibly, E., M. D., The Late ‘The Medical Mirror; Or, a Treatise on the Impregnation of the Human Female. Showing the Origin of Diseases, and the Principles of Life and Death. With Remarks on the Effects of Sea-Bathing; and General Rules for Preserving Health’ Sixth Edition, Improved – The Proprietor, No. 17, Ave-Maria-Lane, St. Paul’s, London, 1814. Paper-covered boards (bottom inch of paper missing from spine; paper torn and frayed at spine edges; heavy wear to corners of boards). Frontis. + iv + [pp. 5-56] + [plate] + [pp. 57-8] + [plate] + [pp. 59-116] + [plate] + [pp. 117-126] + [plate] + [pp. 127-200]
Sibly, Ebenezer – see also under Culpeper, Nicholas, above
Sibly, the Great Astrologer (attrib.[13]) ‘The Popular Fortune Teller, Containing Never-Failing Means for Ladies to Obtain Good Husbands, and Husbands Good Wives; Interpretation of Dreams, Foretelling Future Events and Contingencies. Also, the Art of Divination, by the Sciences of Astrology, Physiognomy, Palmistry, Moles, Cards, etc.; The Silent Language, & c.[14]‘ W. Nicholson & Sons, 26, Paternoster Square, E.C., London / Albion Works, Wakefield, undated.[15] Original gilt-stamped cloth (moderate wear to extremities of spine and outer corners of boards). (Separation between pp. 16-17, but webbing beneath strong.) [1 leaf] + [Frontis.] + [1 leaf] + [pp. 5-144]
Sibly, the Great Prophet ’Everybody’s Fortune Teller, containing the art of Divination by the Sciences of Astrology, Physiognomy, Palmistry, by Moles, Cards, Dreams, Dice, Dominoes, Charms, Nativities, Birds and Beasts, Tea Leaves, Days, Weeks, Months and Years’ W. Foulsham & Co., Ltd., London, undated[15a]. Original plain card covers (3 cm separation to foot of front hinge; 1.5 cm to top of same; pseudonymous author’s name hand-inked to spine). Internally string-bound (binding slightly weak between pp. 32-3; 80-1; 96-7 and 112-113; very weak between pp. 16-17; 48-9 and 64-5.) (Red-inked marginal bracket to p. 77.) [2] + [pp. 5-126]
[Sibly, Manoah] ‘Supplement to Placidus de Titus; Containing the Nativity of that Wonderful Phaenomenon, Oliver Cromwell. Calculated methodically, according to the Placidian Canons, By the Ingenious Mr. John Partridge, M. D. To which is Prefixed, Primum Mobile, or a Complete Set of Astronomical Tables, for the Exact Calculation and Direction of Nativities’ Printed by W. Justins, Blackfriars; and sold by Mr. Bew, Paternoster Row; Mr. Richardson, under the Royal Exchange; Mr. Mathews, in the Strand; Mr. Debrett, Piccadilly; Messrs. M. and J. Sibly, Goswell-street; and Mr. Edmund Sibly, Brick-lane, Spitalfields, London, 1790. Half-leather (heavily scuffed; separating at front hinge) with paper-covered boards (scuffed and edge-torn). [Frontis.] + [1 leaf] + [6 leaves of tables] + [pp. 3-86] + [p. 78 (2)] + [pp. 88-179]
[Sibly, Manoah] ‘Supplement to Placidus de Titus; Containing the Nativity of that Wonderful Phaenomenon, Oliver Cromwell. Calculated methodically, according to the Placidian Canons, By the Ingenious Mr. John Partridge, M. D. To which is Prefixed, Primum Mobile, or a Complete Set of Astronomical Tables, for the Exact Calculation and Direction of Nativities’ No publisher specified, undated[16]. Card covers. String-bound pamphlet. [3-panel fold-out frontis.] + [1 leaf] + [pp. 3-23] + [6 pages of tables]
Sibly, Manoah – see also under De Titis, Placido, above
[1] It is conceivable that this early edition may originally have been issued in two volumes, in common with all the later editions of this work; but there is no direct evidence of this remaining if so, for it has been bound into a single library binding at some stage, with the loss of the original title page to Volume II if there was one. At p. 275, additional title page subtitled “Part the Second, Containing the Doctrine of Nativities, and the Art of Resolving Horary Questions; Together with a Collection of Nativities of the most eminent and remarkable Persons, Twins, Dwarfs, Giants, &c.”, dated 1784. At p. 915, additional title page subtitled “Part the Third, Containing the Meteorological Part of Uranology; with Certain Rules for prejudging the Revolutions of every Part of the habitable World. General Effects of Great Conjunctions, Eclipses, Comets, Blazing Stars, and other Extraordinary Phenomena: with the Art of Calculating Eclipses, Tides, and Weather, For any Number of Years to come. The Whole Illustrated by a Figure of the Sun’s Ingress into the Sign Aries; and by a Revolutional Figure of the Commencement of the American Empire”, dated 1790. At p. 1057, additional title page subtitled “Part the Fourth. Containing the Distinction between Astrology, and the Wicked Practice of Exorcism. With a General Display of Witchcraft, Magic, and Divination, Founded upon the Existence of Spirits Good and Bad, and their Affinity with the Affairs of this World”, dated 1788.
[2] The title page continues: “Part I. An Enquiry into, and Defence of, Astrology, with an interesting Discourse on Natural and Occult Philosophy – in which the Wisdom and Omnipotence of God; the intellectual Faculties of Angels, Spirits, and Men; the Order, Harmony, Sympathy, and wonderful Properties, of the Celestial and Terrestrial Worlds; the Signs, Influences, and Effects, of the Heavenly Bodies upon all animal, vegetable, and mineral, Substances; the Number of the Spheres; the Method of erecting the Horoscope to cast Nativities; and the Doctrine of Horary Questions; are clearly exemplified and explained. Part II. Examples for acquiring a practical knowledge of Astrology, with Rules for calculating, rectifying, and judging, Nativities; by which the Reader is enabled to discover, with Precision and Accuracy, every material Incident of his future Life and Fortune. Illustrated by a Variety of new, entertaining, and curious, Questions, lately resolved, upon every material Occurrence in public and private Life. With a Collection of the most remarkable Nativities that have been cast for Kings, Princes, and other eminent Men, by the most celebrated Professors of this Science, in all ages of the World; with astonishing Instances of their exact Completion. And including a Series of approved Tables, contrived to answer all the Purpose of Astronomical Calculations. Part III. Meteorological Astrology defined and explained: Wherein certain Rules are laid down for prejudging the Revolutions, Vicissitudes, and Misfortunes, with which every Part of the habitable World may be occasionally threatened. General Effects produced by great Conjunctions, Eclipses, Transits, Comets, Blazing Stars, and other extraordinary Phaenomena; with the Art of calculating Eclipses, Tides, and Weather, for any Number of Years to come. Part IV. The Distinction between Astrology and the Diabolical Practice of Exorcism; in which the Methods used for raising up and consulting Spirits are laid on, with various Instances of their Compacts with wicked Men. Account of Apparitions and Spirits; including a general Display of the Mysteries of Witchcraft, Divination, Charms, and Necromancy. Compiled from a Series of intense Study and Application, and founded on real Examples and Experience”
[3] Still within the title page, and before the publisher details, this edition is then described thus: “Embellished with curious Cooper-Plates, which exhibit Representations of the Harmony and Construction of the World; – the secret Influences of the Heavenly Bodies communicating to Human Nature; and their Operation and Effect upon Man, in four Curious Prints. The appearance of Herbs and Flowers in full bloom, produced by a simple Spirit extracted from each Herb or Flower. Edward Kelly, in the Act of raising up the Ghost of a deceased Person in Walton Church-yard, in Lancashire. Plans and Prints of the exterior and interior of Magical Ricles, Implements, and Characters, used in exorcising or calling up Spirits or Ghosts. Portraits encircled with the Nativities of many extraordinary Personages; with a variety of other Plates equally interesting and valuable”
[4] A facsimile reprint, issued early 2000s, of the first half of the first of two original volumes of a later edition of the work above, bearing the imprint: “Printed for, and sold by, the Proprietor, at No. 17, Ave-Maria Lane, St. Paul’s, London, 1826”. The title page is noticeably vastly lengthened in terms of its text detail compared with the 1794-90 edition above. This first half of the first volume comprises Part the First of the original work
[5] Despite the erratic pagination throughout the edition on which this reprint is based, the text is continuous
[6] A facsimile reprint, issued early 2000s, of the second half of the first volume of the later edition from which the four-part Ballantrae reprint of the whole work has been sourced. This second half of the first volume constitutes the first half of Part the Second in the work as a whole. The title page bears to this Part, here shown, bears a printing date of 1798. Part the Second continues in the first half of the second volume, q. v. below
[7] A facsimile reprint, issued early 2000s, of the first half of the second of two original volumes of what is presumed (but not proven) to be the same 1826 edition of Sibly’s work as was reproduced in the first half of the Ballantrae Reprint edition of the first volume shown above, despite the widely varying datings. This first half of the second volume comprises the second half of Part the Second of the original work. The second volume from which the present reprint edition is sourced bears a different imprint: “Printed by R. Noble, in the Old Bailey; for the Proprietor; and Sold by Champante and Whitrow, Jewry-Street, Aldgate; and at the British Directory Office, Ave-Maria-Lane, London”. This imprint could perhaps have been carried over unmodified from an earlier edition of the second volume at the time of the 1826 printing. This first half of the second volume constitutes the second half of Part the Second in the work as a whole. The present Ballantrae Reprint edition of this half notably includes five additional plates (chiefly additional groups of portraits of famous people) lacking from the 1784-90 edition of the same pages, and not called for in it – probably those after pp. 848, 854, 870, 880, and 890 (although some of those retained from the earlier edition have been moved slightly from their positions in it, so it is not possible to tell from page numbers alone without cross-checking which pictures are which) – in addition to the two that were incidentally missing from the original copy of the 1784-90 edition in this collection, q. v. above
[8] P. 744 is directly backed onto p. 741, with manifest loss of content. Likewise, p. 790 is directly backed onto p. 787; and p. 834 onto p. 831. It is not known whether these faults are common to all copies of the Ballantrae Reprint edition of this volume as a result of a defective source edition, but this strikes me as quite likely in view of the very high standards of error-checking observed in John Ballantrae’s other reprints, all of which were produced and bound by hand
[9] A facsimile reprint, issued early 2000s, of the second half of the second volume of the later edition of Sibly’s work in which the four volumes of the Ballantrae Reprint edition have been sourced. This second half of the second volume comprises the original Part the Third and Part the Fourth, as shown, both parts having been a lot shorter than the first two in the original work. Part the Third is here dated 1804, and Part the Fourth 1810, on their respective title pages as reproduced in facsimile. Again there are significantly more illustrations in these printings, as reproduced, than there were in the those of 1784-90
[10] It is not known whether this lack of a single page is common to all copies of the Ballantrae Reprint edition or just this one
[11] COPAC library records variously suggest 1794 or 1795 for this, the first colour-plate edition (there was another, later colour-plate edition with lower-quality colouring schemes, and there were also several monochrome issues)
[12] NB: all plates called for are present; but the plate supposed to be bound opposite p. 349, “The Insensible Perspiration”, is instead bound opposite p. 340, and the second of the two plates found bound between pp. 312 and 313, “Progressive Formation of the Foetus, Plate I”, is supposed to be bound opposite p. 311 and has been misplaced opposite p. 313
[13] Presumed spuriously. There is no reason to suppose that Ebeneezer Sibly is the author of this book, or one of his brothers. It was almost certainly penned by someone entirely unrelated, shortly before its publication in the 1870s or thereabouts
[14] This is a compilation of lore on many different themes, as suggested by the extended title. The part given over to nativities spans just pp. 65-9 and is limited to Sun signs. There is significant astrological content in the longer section on chiromancy
[15] Not in COPAC thus, which estimates the 1870s for the later edition in which it was combined with Zadkiel’s Dream Book. The standalone edition of Zadkiel’s Dream Book is known to be earlier, but in view of the London address of the publisher, which apparently had yet to be established in the 1860s, a date in the 1870s seems most likely for this book
[15a] Publisher records give 1924 for the first Foulsham edition thus; the absence of an address makes it difficult to definitively date this issue
[16] A partial monochrome facsimile reprint of the above, issued by Ballantrae Reprint in the early 2000s
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