Star Names and their Meanings.
New York, NY: G. E. Stechert & Co, 1936. "Second Reprint" Hardcover. Octavo. xxiv + 564pp. Original blue buckram with gilt titling to spine. The Massachusetts born author, Richard Hinckley Allen (1838 – 1908), Northampton, had such a depth of knowledge on a diverstiy of subjects that his friends nicknamed him "the walking encyclopedia." Poor eyesight prevented him from following a childhood passion for astronomy professionally but he devoted much of his spare time to the study of the heavens, and was a member of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He devoted many years of research to Star-Names and Their Meanings, in which he briefly recounted the origins of the names of the stars and constellations, along with associated myths and legends drawn from a wide variety of sources and cultures: chiefly Greek and Roman, but also Middle-Eastern, Indian and Chinese. Although obviously dated, and with some errors, it remains a useful work, and we don't know of another that covers the subject so broadly. It was first published in 1899 and although this copy has "second reprint" on the title page - it actually appears to be the first reprint (or second printing) from 1936 - perhaps someone at the publishers was dozing and conflated "second printing" and "reprint"? Whatever the case it is scarce in any early edition, which is why its publishing history is difficult to trace. Loosely inserted is a folded chart - apparently removed from a different book - which depicts some of the stars and constellations along with line drawings of their mythical identities. The spine of the volume is quite faded and there is a little rubbing and gentle discoloration. Owner's name on front pastedown, endpapers darkened, pages evenly toned. Overall a tight, better-than VG copy without dust jacket. Item #69340
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