The five books below each represent different kinds of primary evidence that belong in a teaching collection: Bacon’s Advancement of Learning maps and reorganizes the territories of human knowledge; Galileo’s Nuncius Sidereus and Kepler’s Dioptrice record the transformation of astronomy through observation, mathematics, and the new optical instrument; With a printed and hand-painted Book of Hours we have a very rare transformation of the world at the intersection of manuscript and print; Cotton Mather’s Magnalia Christi Americana demonstrates how history constructs a community’s understanding of its own origins and decides whose lives and experiences enter the historical record; and an extensively annotated Boethius shows the most fundamental activity of all—the encounter between a reader and a text.

940J Bacon: Of The Advancement And Proficience Of Learning 1640
Two of the Most Important Books in Early Observational Astronomy: Galileo’s “Starry Messenger” and Kepler’s “Dioptrice”
909J Book of Hours, Use of Rome. 12 Large hand painted images.
THE Magnalia Christi Americana, is not just a Puritan history; it is the earliest printed version of a debate we’re still having : WHO BELONGS in the story of AMERICA?
979J An annotated Boethius 1513 :|:

For university and special collections purchases, I am accustomed to working within committee timelines and budget cycles. Titles may be placed on hold during review, and flexible invoicing arrangements can be discussed where appropriate. I welcome inquiries at jamesgray2@me.com.

I am always happy to arrange a brief Zoom or FaceTime appointment to view any of my books.

Catalogue CC• VII *Boston ABAA Fair Part I*
A historical illustration of a scholar sitting at a desk, writing in a book, with a lamp and a lion by their side.

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