1684 Theory of the Earth by Burnet, First English Edition, Folding Maps London

1684 First English Edition of this classic by Thomas Burnet WITH a fold Map that has California as an Island

The Theory of the Earth Containing an Account of the Original of the Earth, and of all the General Changes Which it hath already undergone, Or Is to Undergo, Till the Consummation of all Things. The Two First Books Concerning the DELUGE AND Concerning PARADISE.

Author:  BURNET, Thomas.

Published by Printed by R. Norton for Walter Kettilby at the Bishops-Head in Saint Paul’s Churchyard. London, 1684

Nowhere did speculation run so completely riot as in England with regard to theories of the origin and structure of our globe. This craze reached its height during the latter part of the seventeenth century. In 1681 Thomas Burnet published in Latin his Sacred Theory of the Earth. 

This work, republished in English, and favored with the patronage of Charles II, enjoyed a wide popularity and made some impression even on the Continent. It discoursed of the original structure of our planet, and of the changes which it was destined to undergo until 'the consummation of all things.' 

As its title denotes, the book was meant to support orthodox religion. With this view, the Deluge was taken as one of the great events in the history of the planet. Previous to that time, it was asserted, there had been perpetual spring upon the earth, but the wickedness of mankind led to a catastrophe in which the sun's rays split open the crust of the earth, and allowed the central abyss of waters to burst forth and overwhelm the inhabited lands. See ZITTEL History of Geology and Paleontology pp.28-29 - ' Dr. Thomas Burnet. thinks that in the beginning our earth was a chaotic mixture of earth, water, oil, and air, which gradually consolidated into a spherical form etc. etc. Burnet's circumstantial sketch, which in no way militated against Biblical evidences, excited considerable attention, and won for him worldly preferment. 

But in a later work in 1692, Burnet treated the Mosaic account of the Fall of Man as allegory, and for this heresy he was dismissed from his appointments at Court.

As called for has the Engraved frontispiece, 2 double-page plates world maps, with the land masses in relief and California as an island. 9 engraved figures in Book One and 3 in Book Two