Nürnberg, C. Weigel, 1780. 8vo (17.4 x 10.6 cm). Title page; [xii], 362, [xxii] pp.; 38 fine, original hand-coloured plates. Contemporary half calf over speckled boards. Spine with five raised bands; compartments with gilt ornamental lines and floral vignettes; tan morocco label with gilt title. Pastedowns marbled. Speckled edges.

A beautiful, very well-preserved copy of a rare work and - in this case - an unrecorded edition. The illustrations in this copy are carefully hand-coloured and bright. Illustrations include the lunar systems of Jupiter and Saturn, the signs of the zodiac and other constellations - also from the southern hemisphere; the moon (a fine, double-sized plate), and more. First published in 1723, and again in 1743 or - more likely - 1744 (the preface dated 12 December, 1743). Both editions are quite rare. Of this third edition, however, there are no auction records at all. The author, Johann Leonard Rost (born 1688) was a German astronomer. Poggendorf records 1727 as the year of the author's death. A well-preserved copy in a fine, handsome, contemporary binding. Poggendorff II, 701. Not in Hazeau-Lancaster.