An Interpretation of the Number 666. Wherein, not only the Manner, how this Number ought to be Interpreted, is clearly proved and Demonstrated; but is Also shewed this Number is an exquisite and perfect Character...

Oxford: Printed by Leonard Lichfield, 1642 An extremely scarce 1st edition copy of Francis Potter's work. Potter (1594-1678) was a clergyman with a wide range of other interests. He was an early member of the Royal Society (admitted in 1663), experimenting with bees, theorising about blood transfusion and making instruments including a sundial. He developed a theory that the approximate square root of 666 - 25 - had a strong connection with catholic institutions. His first attempt to set this out in 1637 was described as a 'wonderful discovery' by Joseph Mede, whose 'judgement' is included in the work. This copy has been rebacked, relaying as much as possible of the spine, which has raised bands, red title label and the date at the base. The corners have been rebuilt. The boards are marbled with a stain on the rear board. Edges are scuffed. Internally there is the armorial bookplate of William Legge to the front pastedown endpaper. The endpaper joints have been repaired. Page edges are red. Contents: initial blank; copper-engraved title page (by W Marshall) - with old signature to top; Joseph Mede's judgement with old scholarly note to margin 1p; To the reader 8pp; Chapter list and corrigenda 6pp; text with diagrams pp 1-214; finis; final blank. Text with decorative head and tailpieces and initial capitals. The contents are very clean. At some point one or more adventurous worms explored the top corners of most pages from To the Reader to p 197. They were clearly discerning readers, because they missed the text. Expert professional paper repair by bookbinder Elizabeth Howard, has stabilised the paper and, although there is discolouration (which also affects the verso of the title), the impact is minimised. The numbers at the top of pp 105/6 and 109-114 are affected. Another small worm exploration affects pp 167-187 again without impact on the text but the diagram at p 175 has a small hole in it. P 11 has lost the bottom corner tip. Book measures 21.5 cm x 14.6 cm. Please enquire if you would like to see further images.