Book by Keill, Joanne; Introductio ad Veram Astronomiam, seu Lectiones Astronomicae Habitae in Schola Astronomica Academiae Oxoniensis. 2nd ed., Londini, 1721.

Keill, Joanne; Introductio ad Veram Astronomiam, seu Lectiones Astronomicae Habitae in Schola Astronomica Academiae Oxoniensis. 2nd ed., Londini, 1721. Octavo, pp. xvi, 513, 16, 2 folded engraved plates, numerous text woodcuts.

The volume is complete and in a contemporary paneled calf, six gold gilt spine panels, red/gold spine titles, book plate of Alexander Lord Polwarth on verso of title page, Light wear to boards, very good. Very rare.

A Professor of Astronomy at Oxford; Keil (1671-1721) was also a High Churchman and throughout his scientific career held a very conservative theological view of the origins of the earth and heavens. However his beliefs did not prevent him from becoming a prominent astronomer, the Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford and author of one of the best text works on astronomy of its day. Keill's work is the first Newtonian astronomy text book. Keill was a disciple of Newton, and transmitted Newton's principles of philosophy to the scientific community. His "Astronomicae was first published in 1718. The two folded plates are beautiful illustrations of the surface of the moon with individual land forms named.