Marshall Rare Books
Supernatural Sights and Apparitions Seen in London, June 30 1644
William Lilly became the most important astrologer in England, having an enduring impact on the future course of Western astrological tradition.
FIRST EDITION, 2 woodcut astrological diagrams, final f. with errata slip pasted to blank lower margin, armorial bookplate of Sir William Grace, title closely trimmed at head touching text, lightly browned throughout, later half road, spine rubbed, small 4to, London, for T.V., 1644.
William Lilly became the most important astrologer in England, having an enduring impact on the future course of Western astrological tradition. This was bolstered by his influential social and political connections.
This is the second of several works he published in 1644, during the English Civil War. As an astrologer trained to read and interpret the signs, Lilly considered himself God’s fearless messenger to the powers that be.
A staunch Parliamentarian, Lilly addressed the “Nobles, Knights and Burgesses’ who joined the Royalists to the ‘perpetuall infamie of [themselves] and posterities”. ‘The disgrace that came from supporting the King would span across the years, and their infamy would last through the ages. The ruins of their house would be left as a testament to their actions, and for future generations to gawk and learn of their ill-advised actions. Time would be unkind to the losers of this dispute between King and Parliament, and in this case Lilly was certain that royalists will be on the suffering end.’ (Meng Yan Wong).
In 1647, Lilly published the first compendium of astrological techniques printed in English. His competency in astrology was so credible that, in 1666, he was brought before the committee investigating the cause of the Great Fire of London. He was suspected of being involved in the fire because fifteen years earlier he published images of a city in flames, surrounded by coffins.
This work is a very scarce first edition of one of the firsts books by Lilly, who asserted power and influence in a tumultuous period, solely through astrology.
[Wing L2249, THE IMPACT OF THE REGICIDE OF CHARLES I ON CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH NOTIONS OF TIME AND THE FUTURE, Meng Yan Wong, 2019]