Simmonite, Dr. W. J. ‘The Prognostic Astronomer; or, Horary Astrology: Containing an Improved Method of Solving the Thousand Inquiries Relative to Futurity’ Printed and Published by Israel Holdsworth, Central Market, Leeds, 1851[1].
Decoratively blind-stamped pebbled cloth[2] (light wear to extremities of spine; moderate wear to outer corners of boards) with printed libel adhered to front board. [3] + [pp. iv-xviii] + 176 + [pp. 177-182 of tables] + [pp. 183-196]
[1] Appears to be the true first edition of this work, predating the undated edition that was printed in Leeds but published in London, although probably in the same year. Not held in any libraries listed on COPAC or Worldcat, but this is one of two copies I have seen for sale second-hand since 2005
[2] The cloth appears likely to be original in view of the original-looking title label to the front board and the lack of discontinuity of appearance between the endpapers and adjacent pages; however, this is difficult to ascertain for sure. The blind-stamped decoration to the front board strikes a floral theme; and the label is on an orange background and reads simply ‘Horary Astrology’
About this Book Scan
Carefully reproduced in full colour from our original printing of the 1851 true first edition.
William Joseph Simmonite’s The Prognostic Astronomer or Horary Astrology was one of only a few new dedicated treatises on horary astrology to appear in the 19th century, and is an interesting case of a new 19th century astrology book that was first published by a provincial publisher in Leeds before being reprinted in London later the same year. It was later further posthumously reprinted in 1896 by Sheffield bookseller John Story, who changed its title in his revised edition then. The rare genuine original 1851 edition is reproduced here.