GALILEI, Galileo (1564-1642) and Thomas SALUSBURY (c.1625-c.1665, editor and translator). Mathematical Collections and Translations ... The Systeme of the World: in four dialogues. London: Printed by William Leybourn, 1661. 2 parts in one volume, 4° (319 x 216mm). Collation: *4 [half-title, separate title ' The Systeme of the World: in Four Dialogues', dedication to Grand Duke of Tuscany, dedication to Sir John Denham] *2 ['Reader' leaf signed *2, 'The Author's Introduction' signed *3] *1 [contents leaf signed *3] ?1 [general title, a cancellans] A-Rrr4 [Dialogues I-IV and 'The Ancient and Modern Doctrine of Holy Fathers, and Judicious Divines'] Hhh-Iii2 Vvv-Zzz2 ['A Table of the most Observable Persons and Matters'] Aaaa2 ['The Mathematical Collections and Translations: the second (sic, i.e. first) tome. The second part.'] ?1 ['The authours epistle to Pope Urban VIII' signed ¶5] ?4 ['An account of the authour and work'] Bbbb-Qqqq4 Rrrr2 [Mensuration of Running Waters']. 4 folding engraved plates, 4 copper-engraved text-illustrations (one a repeat) to the Galileo dialogues, 1 copper-engraved, 1 wood-engraved and several typographical diagrams in the text in second part, wood-engraved initials and head- and tailpieces. (Dampstain at head of gutter at throughout, paper flaw with associated tear to Ee1 but without loss, tiny hole to engraved text-illustration on Pp1 with loss of one letter on verso.) Contemporary calf (extremities rubbed). Provenance: John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl (1660-1724, engraved armorial bookplate dated 1711 and ink ownership inscription 'Atholl' on title). FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH OF GALILEO'S DIALOGO, the major work to be included in volume I, and the first vernacular translation in any language. The Systeme of the World, followed by the short but important Epistle to the Grand Dutchesse Mother concerning the Authority of Holy Scripture in Philosophical Controversies (known today as the Letter to Christina), was only the second work of Galileo's to be published in England. It preceded the Latin edition, published in London by Thomas Dicas, by two years and remained the only vernacular translation for two centuries. Apart from the two works by Galileo, Salusbury included 7 other translations from Italian and Latin in volume I of his Collections. Some copies also include an errata leaf following 3Z2 (not present here). The second volume, including an extensive life of Galileo in part two, was published in 1665 but almost totally destroyed in the Great Fire of London. The Brereton-Macclesfield copy, sold by Sotheby's London, 26 October 2005, lot 1800, is unique in containing both parts. Carli-Favaro 276; ESTC R19153; Wing S-517.