8vo. lviii, [6], 240pp, [16]. With three large folding engraved copper plates at rear depicting astrological diagrams. Contemporary blind-stamped panelled sprinkled calf, contrasting gilt-tooled red morocco lettering-piece. Lightly rubbed and marked, with some splitting to lower joint. Armorial bookplate of Lord Sandys to FEP. Staining and spotting to endpapers, light spotting throughout.

The first edition of Astro-Theology, one of the most significant works by William Derham (1657-1735), Church of England minister and early natural philosopher. In addition to his pious duties, Derham penned an early horological work The Artificial Clockmaker: a Treatise of Watch and Clock-Work (1696). Elected a member of the Royal Society in 1703, he was an acquaintance of Isaac Newton and Edmond Halley. Unsurprisingly he joined the ranks of Boyle in using scientific discoveries to further the cause of Creationism, delivering the Boyle lectures in 1711 and 1712, and publishing Physico-Theology, or, A Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God from his Works of Creation (1713). Opposed to the Halley's views on heavenly bodies, Derham nevertheless supports the Copernican over the Ptolemaic system of the universe in this book.