Cometa Matutinus & Vespertinus, Der, Anfangs in den Früestunden der Sonnen vorgehend, Und, hernach in den Abendstunden der Sonnen nachgehend, Erschienene, Und der Gottlosen Welt zum Schrecken, am Himmel strahlende Comet-oder Schwantz-Stern, Anno 1680. und 1681

One fine folding engraved plate. [16] leaves. Small 4to, modern wrappers (minor browning). Hamburg: G. Rebenlein, [1681].

First edition of this scarce observation of the famous comet of 1680-81. Apart from its brightness, this comet is notable as the first to be observed using a telescope (by Gottfried Kirch in Coburg). Other well-known observers included Robert Hooke, Flamsteed, Newton, and John Evelyn.

Voigt (1613-91) was a mathematician, astronomer, and writer of calendars. He studied mathematics at Erfurt and taught at Stade, near Hamburg. He observed the comets of 1664, 1665, and 1677. In this work, he provides a very detailed (truncated) description of the appearance of the comet, its path, and significance. The fine folding plate depicts the comet’s path through the constellations.

Fine copy and scarce.

❧ Kronk, Cometography, I, pp. 369-73. (Inventory #: 6352)