Giovanni Domenico Campanella

Giovanni Domenico Campanella

Astrology.- Campanella (Giovanni Domenico, known as Tommaso) Astrologicorum Libri VI. In quibus Astrologia, omni superstitione Arabum, & ludæorum eliminata, physiologicè tractatur, 2 parts in 1, first edition, title in red and black and with woodcut printer's device, woodcut diagrams and tables in text, last f. of first part blank (Gg4), a1 of second part 'printer to reader', woodcut head- and tail-pieces and decorative initials, some spotting and staining, lightly browned, later endpapers, contemporary limp vellum, later gilt and dark green morocco label to spine, small 4to, Lyon, for Jacques, André & Mathieu Prost, 1629.

⁂ Rare first edition of this work by the Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, theologian, astrologer, and poet. He spent 27 years in prison for conspiring against the Spanish rulers of Calabria. During this time he wrote most of his important works, including his defence of Galileo during his first trial, to whom he also wrote before his second trial.