Search Results: a discourse concerning prodigies wherein the by spencer john spencer

London, Printed by J. Field for Will. Graves over against Great S. Maries Church in Cambridge, 1665. 1665 8vo. [30], 408; [8], 136, [6] pp. Lacks the preliminary blank leaf before the title of the first part, but retains the final blank at the end of the second part which has its own part title. A very good copy in contemporary calf, rebacked with a green lettering piece. Minor browning in the second part. ESTC R38268.

Sm. London: Printed for J. Field for Will. Graves over against Great S. Maries Church in Cambridge, 1665. Sm. 8vo, (32), 408; (8), 136, (8, contents, errata, and blank) pp. (Collation: A8, a8, B-Cc8, Dd4, A-I8, K4.) Later half calf with marbled paper boards, expertly rebacked with dyed tissue. First three leaves remounted, others with gutter repairs. Ownership inscriptions on title and front pastedown. A good copy of interest for the numerous annotations and other marks of readership in several hands throughout, including two full pages of notes in an early hand on the final blanks. § An interesting copy of the second edition of Spencer's work on monstrous births and other omens with a manuscript list of books on related subjects made by an early reader on an endpaper and other marginal marks and notes throughout.Spencer's book challenged the prevailing belief that medical abnormalities or "prodigies" were divine omens and insisted that most had mundane causes. Although his premise seems… Read More