Lot 280
Newton (Sir Isaac) The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, 2 vol., first edition in English, Printed for Benjamin Motte, 1729.
Hammer Price: £8,000
Description
Newton (Sir Isaac) The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, 2 vol., first edition in English, engraved allegorical frontispieces (that in vol.2 misbound within text), 47 folding engraved plates, 2 folding letterpress tables, 3 engraved head-pieces by A. Motte, woodcut head- and tail-pieces, ex-library copy with ink stamps to plates, titles and some text leaves, some foxing and water-staining, L8 torn, modern half calf over marbled boards, uncut, [Babson 20; Wallis 23; cf.PMM 161], 8vo, Printed for Benjamin Motte, 1729.
⁂ A complete, albeit ex-library copy of the first edition of Newton's Principia in English. First published in Latin in 1687, followed by a second edition in 1713, this translation was made by Andrew Motte, brother of the printer Benjamin Motte, and the author of A treatise of the Mechanical Powers, 1727. "The Principia is generally described as the greatest work in the history of science. Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler had certainly shown the way; but where they described the phenomena they observed, Newton explained the underlying laws" (PMM).
Provenance: Brassey Institute, Hastings Public Library (ink stamps).
Description
Newton (Sir Isaac) The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, 2 vol., first edition in English, engraved allegorical frontispieces (that in vol.2 misbound within text), 47 folding engraved plates, 2 folding letterpress tables, 3 engraved head-pieces by A. Motte, woodcut head- and tail-pieces, ex-library copy with ink stamps to plates, titles and some text leaves, some foxing and water-staining, L8 torn, modern half calf over marbled boards, uncut, [Babson 20; Wallis 23; cf.PMM 161], 8vo, Printed for Benjamin Motte, 1729.
⁂ A complete, albeit ex-library copy of the first edition of Newton's Principia in English. First published in Latin in 1687, followed by a second edition in 1713, this translation was made by Andrew Motte, brother of the printer Benjamin Motte, and the author of A treatise of the Mechanical Powers, 1727. "The Principia is generally described as the greatest work in the history of science. Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler had certainly shown the way; but where they described the phenomena they observed, Newton explained the underlying laws" (PMM).
Provenance: Brassey Institute, Hastings Public Library (ink stamps).
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