Liber Quadripartiti Ptolemei

Considered one of the most important surviving Greek texts on astrology, this text by Ptolemy (2^nd c. AD) describes a universe constantly influencing the earthly events taking place at its center. Commonly called Tetrabiblios, or four-part book, the theory discussed in this text was the key to our universe for millennia before being displaced by the Copernican heliocentric theory. This incunabula, published during the infancy of print in 1484, was printed by Ernst Ratdolt, a printer celebrated for the beauty and precision of his publications. Printed in both red and black ink with large initial letters, it also contains many astrological wood-cut illustrations. Re-bound in 1902, this powerful rare little book is a beautiful example of bookish artisanship separated by centuries.