Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

1771 Choir Gaur; the Grand Orrery of the Ancient Druids

About the Item

A scarce first edition of John Smith's study of the prehistorical monument Stonehenge, a early work on the subject, illustrated with three folding plates. The scarce first edition of this work. Illustrated with three copper engraved folding plates. Collated, complete. ESTC citation number T98431. 'Choir Gaur' is one of the earliest astronomical analysis of Stonehenge, looking into the ancient structure's history and historical use.A fascinating work on the important prehistoric monument on the Salisbury Plains, one of the most famous landmarks of Britain. The work comprises abstracts taken from many historic accounts of the stones, followed by Smith's own analysis of the stones in present day (1771). There is also an explanation of the use of Stonehenge as a 'Tropical Temple'. The abstracts have been taken from the accounts of Jeffrey of Monmouth, Inigo Jones, Dr Charlton (Physician to King Charles), Camden's Brittannia, Dr Stukeley, Mr Wood (an architect at Bath) and a manuscript collected by Hearne and printed in Peter Langtoft’s chronicle. By Doctor John Smith, a prominent antiquary and Gaelic scholar. Bookplate of Robert Cotton Trefusis Esquire to the front paste down. In a half morocco binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, smart. A few minor marks to the boards and spine. Bookplate to the front paste down. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and generally clean with some odd spots. A little fading of text to some leaves. Overall: Near Fine
  • Creator:
    John Smith (Author)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 11 in (27.94 cm)Width: 1 in (2.54 cm)Depth: 9 in (22.86 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1770-1779
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1771
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Bath, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 779P301stDibs: LU8925235628802

More From This Seller

View All
1848 History of Europe from the Commencement of the French Revolution
By Archibald Alison
Located in Bath, GB
A wonderful copy of the seventh edition of Alison's exhaustive study of the French Revolution, from 1789 to 1815. In lovely half calf bindings. A complete twenty volume 1848 seventh...
Category

Antique 1840s British Books

Materials

Paper

1905-1906 The Biographical Edition of the Works of Charles Dickens
By Charles Dickens
Located in Bath, GB
The complete Biographical Edition of this Charles Dickens collection, profusely illustrated and bound in attractive signed half calf by Bayntun. The Biographical Edition. Complete i...
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Books

Materials

Paper

1858 The Story of Jack and the Giants
By Richard Doyle
Located in Bath, GB
An exciting retelling of Jack the Giant Killer, beautifully illustrated throughout by Richard Doyle, a smart copy. A vivid retelling of 'The Story of Ja...
Category

Antique 1850s British Books

Materials

Paper

1910-11 The Rhinegold and the Valkyrie, Siegfried and the Twilight of the Gods
By Wagner
Located in Bath, GB
A beautifully and colourfully illustrated copy of Richard Wagner's epic four epic opera dramas, illustrated throughout by Arthur Rackham with tipped-in colour plates, scarce to see in their original dust wrappers. The first editions, first impression. Both volumes are in their scarce original unclipped dust wrappers. Complete in two volumes. 'The Rhinegold and the Valkyrie' illustrated with a tipped-in colour frontispiece, and thirty-three tipped-in colour plates. 'Siegfried and the Twilight of the Gods' illustrated with a tipped-in colour frontispiece, and twenty-nine tipped-in colour plates. 'Arthur Rackham Exhibition' advertising slip loosely inserted. Collated, complete. These two volumes contain Richard Wagner's four epic music dramas, the series being titled 'Der Ring des Nibelungen', or 'The Ring of the Nibelung', or simply the 'Ring Cycle'. These four are 'Das Rheingold'/'The Rhinegold', 'Die Walkure'/'The Valkyrie', 'Siegfried', and 'Gotterdammerung'/'Twilight of the Gods'. All four dramas are in these two volumes. The four dramas are loosely based on characters from Norse mythology and the Nibelungenlied. The plot of the four dramas revolves around a magical ring...
Category

Vintage 1910s British Books

Materials

Paper

1980 The Journal of Joseph Banks in the Endeavour
By Joseph Banks
Located in Bath, GB
A striking limited edition facsimile of the travel journals of Joseph Banks, a smart work signed by Prince Philip, who wrote a preface for this edition. A limited edition of five hu...
Category

Vintage 1980s British Books

Materials

Paper

1879 The Chronicles of Barsetshire
By Anthony Trollope
Located in Bath, GB
A fine Bayntun-Riviere set of Anthony Trollope's noted series 'The Chronicles of Barsetshire'. With an illustrated frontispiece to all volumes. Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) was an...
Category

Antique 1870s English Books

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

Stalls in the Choir of Rochester Cathedral, Basire, 1790
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Stalls in the Choir of Rochester Cathedral'. Antique print depicting the Stalls in the Choir of Rochester Cathedral. Artists and Engravers: Made by J. Basire af...
Category

Antique 18th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of the West Coast of Africa, 1771
By Rigobert Bonne
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Carte de la Guinee contenant les Isles du Cap Verd, le Senegal, la Cote de Guinee proprement dite, les Royaumes de Loango, Congo, Angola, et Benguela avec les Pay...
Category

Antique 18th Century Maps

Materials

Paper

A paradoxical orrery that demonstrates the earth-moon system. Italy circa 1860.
Located in Milan, IT
A paradoxical orrery that demonstrates the earth-moon system and its movement. The base of the planetarium is made of fruit wood, circular in shape with three bell-shaped wood feet. ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

The American Discovery of Ancient Egypt 1995
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The American Discovery of Ancient Egypt 1995. Essays, edited by Nancy Thomas. A survey of the achievements of American Egyptology featuring such enterpris...
Category

Late 20th Century Egyptian Moorish Books

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of the Ancient Greek Colonization
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Map I containing the Western Division of the Grecian Colonies & Conquests'. Original antique map of the ancient Greek colonization. Frontispiece map of 'The Histo...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Maps

Materials

Paper

Pair of Venetian Choirs in Walnut of 1500 Completely Original
Located in Cesena, FC
Pair of Venetian Choirs in walnut, with carved details, of 1500. In first patina. Each choir consists of two seats ( two seated) and the size of each choir is: H. 263 – W. 175 – ...
Category

Antique 16th Century Italian Religious Items

Materials

Walnut

Recently Viewed

View All