LAPLACE, Pierre Simon (1749-1827). Traité de Mécanique Céleste, Paris: J.B.M. Duprat, An VII [1799] [vols. I-II]; J.B.M. Duprat, An XI -- 1802 [vol. III]; chez Courcier, An XIII -- 1805 [vols. IV-V], Bachelier, 1825 [i.e. 1823-27], 5 volumes in 3, 4°, FIRST EDITION, folding engraved plate in vol. IV (the plate affected by damp, library markings, some spotting and occasional soiling, title and preliminaries to vol. III detached, final leaves of vol. IV also detached, without title to any supplement except the final supplement in vol. V), mixed contemporary calf and later cloth bindings (worn, the second volume broken). [Dibner 14; Honeyman 1920; Horblit 63; Norman 1277; PMM 252; Sparrow 125] (3)

Details

LAPLACE, Pierre Simon (1749-1827). Traité de Mécanique Céleste, Paris: J.B.M. Duprat, An VII [1799] [vols. I-II]; J.B.M. Duprat, An XI -- 1802 [vol. III]; chez Courcier, An XIII -- 1805 [vols. IV-V], Bachelier, 1825 [i.e. 1823-27], 5 volumes in 3, 4°, FIRST EDITION, folding engraved plate in vol. IV (the plate affected by damp, library markings, some spotting and occasional soiling, title and preliminaries to vol. III detached, final leaves of vol. IV also detached, without title to any supplement except the final supplement in vol. V), mixed contemporary calf and later cloth bindings (worn, the second volume broken). [Dibner 14; Honeyman 1920; Horblit 63; Norman 1277; PMM 252; Sparrow 125] (3)

Lot Essay

A fundamental work on celestial mechanics (a term coined by Laplace himself), codifying and developing the theories of Newton and Euler. Whereas Newton had posited the necessity of a Deity to correct planetary ireegularities, Laplace, when asked by Napoleon why he had omitted any mention of the Creator, is remembered for replying that he did not require such a hypothesis.

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