Komētographia. Or A discourse concerning comets

Creator

Mather, Increase Sherman, John

Place

Boston in New-England

Publisher

Printed by S[amuel] G[reen] for S[amuel] S[ewall] And sold by J. Browning at the corner of the Prison Lane next the Town-House

Date

1683

Notes

"To the reader", p. [3-6], 1st count, dated and signed: Decemb. 20. 1682. John Sherman

First word of title transliterated from the Greek

Signatures: A⁸ (-A1) (A2 verso blank) B-K⁸ (K8 blank)

Errata: foot of p. 143, 2nd count

Names of printers supplied by Wing

Title page printed within ornamental border; head pieces

Leaf G3 verso has two states: the first has last line beginning "the Turks", and the second has a line of text "(I do not remember that I have read the like of any comet)" inserted preceding last line, with last line beginning "whence the Turks"

"The latter sign discoursed of, in a sermon preached at the lecture of Boston in New-England; August, 31. 1682. Wherein is shewed, that the voice of God in signal providences, especially when repeated and iterated, ought to be hearkned unto. By Increase Mather", p. [2], 32 p., 6th and 7th counts, has divisional title page. This sermon was occasioned by the appearance of Halley's Comet in 1682

According to Holmes, some copies have an errata slip on leaf K7v

"Heaven's alarm to the world. Or A sermon, wherein is shewed, that fearful sights and signs in Heaven, are the presages of great calamities at hand. Preached at the lecture of Boston in New-England; January, 20, 1680. By Mr. Increase Mather", p. [8], 38, 4th and 5th counts, has separate title page with imprint: Boston in New England: Printed for Samuel Sewall. And are to be sold by J. [John or Joseph] Browning at the corner of the Prison-Lane next the Town-House, 1682; this sermon was occasioned by the appearance of the Kirch Comet of 1680

Local notes

John Carter Brown Library copy imperfect: wanting "Heaven's alarm to the world" and "The latter sign discoursed of, in a sermon preached at the lecture of Boston in New-England; August, 31. 1682", p. [8], 38, [2], 32, 4th through 7th counts; some leaves closely trimmed at foot, affecting signature signings

John Carter Brown Library copy has last line of leaf G3 verso beginning "whence the Turks"

John Carter Brown Library copy bound in 19th century blind tooled calf