Astronomy in Caxton's encyclopedia, 1481. This page, introducing a section on astronomy, is from 'Mirrour of the world', a translation and revision by English printer William Caxton (c.1422-1491) of the earlier work 'Image du Monde' (1245) by French priest Gautier de Metz. Topics covered included theology, geography and astronomy. Caxton's translation was the first English book to be printed with illustrations. It was also one of the earliest English-language encyclopedias. Caxton studied printing in Germany, in 1471, and set up a press in Belgium, where he produced the first book printed in English. He went on to print about 100 books, and revised and translated many himself.