ΑΡΑΤΟΥ ΣΟΛΕΩΣ ΦΑΙΝΟΜΕΝΑ ΚΑΙ ΣΗΜΕΙΑ ΩΡΩΝΟΣ ΣΧΟΛΙΑ. ΛΕΟΝΤΙΟΥ ΜΗΧΑΝΙΚΟΥ. Parisiis: Guillaume Morel, 1559.
The Phenomena and Signs of the Seasons by Aratus of Soli, with the Commentary of Theon of Alexandria and Leontius, printed in Paris by Guillaume Morel in 1559.
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An extremely rare edition printed by Guillaume Morel of the ancient poem on astronomy titled Phainomena, composed by the Greek poet and astronomer Aratos of Soli. The poem consists of 1,154 verses and is divided into two parts: the first combines astronomy and astrology, referencing Eudoxus of Cnidus and Hesiod's Works and Days. The second deals more specifically with weather signs (including rainbows, cyclones, the aurora borealis, etc). Morel published two distinct editions of the text. The first, which is this edition, gives the Greek version of the text with commentaries by Theon of Alexandria and glosses by Leontius, the second is a Latin edition, not present here. The Latin version is far more common. This Greek edition is the rarest version for which sales records are very scarce and typically quite expensive indeed!
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Condition:
[(2), t.p., *2, A1-R2 (i.e. 132pp), (2)]
Early 18th century full calf, spine and board edges decorated in gilt. Binding a little rubbed but generally extraordinarily well preserved. Some gilt loss to spine, including title, rear board a little sunned. Binding structurally fine, both boards securely attached. Bookplate attached to front pastedown, a few pencil marks to endpaper blanks, else free of writing/marginalia throughout the text block. Minor staining to a few leaves near the beginning of the text, not obfuscating legibility, but generally exceptionally clean throughout the entire text block. A beautiful copy of this exceedingly scarce edition of Aratus.
[USTC 152724].
