Mathematics.- Mydorge (Claude) Prodromi catoptricorum et dioptricorum, sive conicorum operis ad abdita radii reflexi et refracti mysteria praevii & facem praeferentis, 4 parts in 1, the first two first edition, the following two second edition, title with slip 'Libri quatuor priores' pasted over 'Liber primus et secundus', woodcut printer’s device to title and ink inscription 'Donum authoris 130ff.' at head, another 19th century lower, numerous woodcut diagrams, R2 bearing a portion of text laid down, without the two errata leaves as often, some browning and spotting, occasional finger soiling, contemporary reversed calf, worn, folio, Paris, Jean Dedin, 1631-39.

⁂ First edition of this important treatise on conic sections intended to provide the geometrical basis for the study of optics. Claude Mydorge (1585-1647) shared with Descartes a great interest in optics and exchanged several letters with him on the subject. This copy presumably made up by the author from a remaining first edition of the first 2 parts and then married up with the third and fourth parts on their publication in 1639, and presented as a gift (hence the inscription).