Description: Recorde, Robert. The Castle of Knowledge, scarce and important first edition of "the first comprehensive and original astronomical treatise to be published in English" [History of Science Museum], London: Reginalde Wolfe, 1556. Small folio (250 x 180mm), pp. [xvi], 286, [ii]. NB Eight leaves are supplied in facsimile (pp.209-212 & 217-228). Woodcut allegorical title and numerous illustrations within the text, pagination erratic but all signatures following on correctly and matching the copy in the Smithsonian [Dibner, Heralds of Science], a? A-Z? &?. The final leaf includes errata & colophon. [ESTC, S115662]. Internally well-preserved & bright, light handling marks & cockling, occasional early marginalia, small ink marks & blemishes in places, early owner inscriptions on title, marginal pale staining to final quarter, heavier staining to pp.25-34, heavier ink marks to pp.142/143, one short 2cm tear at top edge of p.60, early panelled calf, rebacked, worn but strong. Very scarce Provenance: The front pastedown features typed notes recording the book's passage through the family from Dr. Edward Swinfen (1742-1801) of Long Buckby, Northamptonshire. Armorial bookplate for Edward Swinfen Harris. Bibliographical notes pasted to front free endpaper "The Castle of Knowledge is special for three reasons: for one, it is the oldest surviving original English astronomy book, not merely a translation or abstract of Latin medieval or classical works. Secondly, it is simultaneously one of the first English books on astronomy that mentions and comments on Copernicus’ De revolutionibus orbium caelestium (1543) and the heliocentric system presented therein. Thirdly, and perhaps even more relevant in the context of this study, Recorde not only refers to Plato, but directly to Proclus on several occasions, so we know for a fact that he had immediate access to Neoplatonic source material." [The University of Bayreuth]
Description: Recorde, Robert. The Castle of Knowledge, scarce and important first edition of "the first comprehensive and original astronomical treatise to be published in English" [History of Science Museum], London: Reginalde Wolfe, 1556. Small folio (250 x 180mm), pp. [xvi], 286, [ii]. NB Eight leaves are supplied in facsimile (pp.209-212 & 217-228). Woodcut allegorical title and numerous illustrations within the text, pagination erratic but all signatures following on correctly and matching the copy in the Smithsonian [Dibner, Heralds of Science], a? A-Z? &?. The final leaf includes errata & colophon. [ESTC, S115662]. Internally well-preserved & bright, light handling marks & cockling, occasional early marginalia, small ink marks & blemishes in places, early owner inscriptions on title, marginal pale staining to final quarter, heavier staining to pp.25-34, heavier ink marks to pp.142/143, one short 2cm tear at top edge of p.60, early panelled calf, rebacked, worn but strong. Very scarce Provenance: The front pastedown features typed notes recording the book's passage through the family from Dr. Edward Swinfen (1742-1801) of Long Buckby, Northamptonshire. Armorial bookplate for Edward Swinfen Harris. Bibliographical notes pasted to front free endpaper "The Castle of Knowledge is special for three reasons: for one, it is the oldest surviving original English astronomy book, not merely a translation or abstract of Latin medieval or classical works. Secondly, it is simultaneously one of the first English books on astronomy that mentions and comments on Copernicus’ De revolutionibus orbium caelestium (1543) and the heliocentric system presented therein. Thirdly, and perhaps even more relevant in the context of this study, Recorde not only refers to Plato, but directly to Proclus on several occasions, so we know for a fact that he had immediate access to Neoplatonic source material." [The University of Bayreuth]
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