New Acquisitions Spring 2022 – 38 – Bauman Rare Books First Edition Of Newton’s Observations, 1733 42. NEWTON, Isaac. Observations Upon the Prophecies of Daniel, And the Apocalypse of St. John. In Two Parts. London, 1733. Quarto, contemporary full tan calf rebacked with original spine neatly laid down. $7800. First edition of Newton’s only “major work on the subject” of prophecy and symbolic writings, published six years after his death. Newton’s long interest in prophecy produced his only “major work on the subject… Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel” (DSB). He “wrestled with this subject until the day he died… continually revising Observations. Like many of his contemporaries, Newton believed that prophecy concealed direct revelations of hidden truths that would reveal to men—very special men—the future course of history as set forth by the Creator from the beginning of time. “The Book of Daniel and the Revelation of Saint John the Divine were for Newton the keys to the long lost prisca theologia” (Christianson, 259). To many scholars “Newton was an apocalyptic thinker” (Snobelen, Canadian Journal of History), who “arrived at his theory of gravity partly through his exploration of alchemy and early biblical theology” (White, 358). Published six years after Newton’s death, preceding an edition in Latin by one year. With engraved headpiece. Gray 328. Minor soiling to title page, interior generally clean, contemporary calf boards expertly restored. “The folly of Interpreters has been, to foretell times and things by this Prophecy, as if God designed to make them Prophets.”
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