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FLAMSTEED, John (1646-1719). Historiae coelestis libri duo: quorum prior exhibet catalogum stellarum fixarum Britannicum novum & locupletissimum. London: H. Meere, 1725.
A crisp copy of the first complete edition of Flamsteed's catalogue of the fixed stars, in contemporary English paneled calf. Flamsteed’s catalogue and sextant observations are one of the foundations of modern observational astronomy, and his data were crucial to Isaac Newton in writing the Principia. His observations were far more extensive and accurate than anything that had gone before. He was the first to utilize instruments with telescopic sights and micrometer eyepieces; he was the first to study systematic errors in his instruments; he was the first to urge the fundamental importance of using clocks and taking meridian altitudes; and he also insisted on having assistants to repeat the observations and the calculations in order to improve accuracy. The catalogue contains about 3000 naked eye stars (Ptolemy and Tycho listed 1000, Hevelius 2000) with an accuracy of about 10 seconds of arc. However, Flamsteed, although appointed first Astronomer Royal in 1675, was reluctant to publish what he considered preliminary observations. Isaac Newton and Edmond Halley pressed him to do so. Flamsteed’s refusal led to one of the most famous, and bitterest, disputes in the history of astronomy, and to the first volume of the present work being published against Flamsteed’s will in 1712. Flamsteed’s response was to destroy 300 of the 400 copies printed, apart from the section of sextant observations; he burned the rest or, as he put it, "made a Sacrifice of them to heavenly Truth." The present, authorized, version of the star catalogue was only published posthumously, by his widow, in 1725. Brunet II, 1280; Lowndes II, 805; Parkinson p 146. See Frances Willmoth ed, Flamsteed’s Stars: New Perspectives on the Life and Work of the First Astronomer Royal, 1646-1719 (1997).
Three volumes, folio (395 x 250mm). Half titles, errata leaves in vols I and II. Engraved portrait frontispiece in vol 1, 9 engraved plates, engraved headpieces and initials (first section of vol 1 toned, some worming to lower margin of vol. 2). Contemporary English paneled calf with fillets in gilt and blind (rebacked retaining original spine labels (light wear). Provenance: Arthur Frank, scientific instruments dealer and collector (bookplate in vol II) – Giancarlo Beltrame (his sale, Christies, 13 July 2016, lot 38).