Astronomy.- Gassendi (Pierre) Tychonis Brahei, equitis dani, astronomorum coryphaei, vita. Accessit Nicolai Copernici, Georgii Peurbachii, & Joannis Regiomontani, astronomorum celebrium, 2 parts in 1, second edition, first title in red and black, engraved portraits of Brahe and Copernicus, woodcut diagrams of the solar system, woodcut head-pieces and decorative initials, portrait of Brahe and title lightly browned / soiled, a couple of marginal tears with loss, occasional spotting or staining, later endpapers, later panelled calf, richly gilt spine in compartments, upper joint splitting, but holding firm, corners worn, rubbed and scuffed, small 4to, The Hague, Adrian Vlacq, 1655.

⁂ The Macclesfield copy of these biographies of celebrated astronomers. Includes an account of Tycho Brahe's duel following a mathematical dispute, in which he famously lost his nose, and the story of his pet elk, who died after drinking beer at a banquet and falling down stairs.

Provenance: Earls of Macclesfield (North Library engraved armorial bookplate) and small armorial blind-stamps.