(SCIENCE FICTION) WILKINS JOHN A Discovery of a New World; o

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(SCIENCE-FICTION.) WILKINS, JOHN. A Discovery of a New World; or, A Discourse tending to prove, that 'tis Probable there may be another Habitable World in the Moon. With a Discourse concerning the Probability of a Passage thither. [Issued with:] A Discourse Concerning A New Planet, tending to prove that 'tis Probable Our Earth is One of the Planets. 2 parts in 1. Engraved frontispiece portrait and additional title, woodcut diagrams. Small 8vo, bound to style in later 1/4 calf over marbled boards, morocco lettering piece, trimmed close, hinges repaired; contents show light to moderate foxing. London: J. Rawlins for John Gellibrand, 1684

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Fifth Edition, Corrected and Amended. 'In the 1640 edition of the Discovery, Wilkins added the sensational idea that it might be possible to contrive a way of flying to the moon' (DSB XIV, 364). Considered the first treatise to speculate on the possibility of interplanetary travel and to scientifically discuss habitation of the moon. Wing W2186.