Description

8vo. 259, (1) pp. With intricate floral lithographed borders on title-page, lithographed 'unwan, numerous in-text illustrations and charts. Later half-cloth boards, with delicate original lithograph wrappers bound in. A rare Urdu lithograph printing of this compendium of astrology by the poet and polymath Mir Ghulam Hasan Sahib Dihlavi (1736-86). Taking advantage of the lithographic medium, the book is lavishly illustrated, with a floral title-page and numerous charts and illustrations, including the illustrated constellations and signs of the zodiac, the tradition diagram of the planets arranged around a central earth, the wheel of the zodiac, and personifications of the planets, including the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars (a warrior brandishing a decapitated head), and Venus (a woman playing music). The original yellow lithograph wrappers are preserved. - Featuring rubricated underlinings and marginalia, ownership inscriptions and other annotations to endpapers a few margins. Some exterior wear; front wrapper with some wear and chipping. With only one copy listed on OCLC and no auction records, this is an uncommon astronomical manual from 19th century India. - OCLC 191101301.