SIMPSON, Thomas (1710-1761). The Nature and Laws of Chance, [London]: Edward Cave, 1740. 4° (217 x 152mm). (Title holed with loss of letter "S" in "Laws", slight marginal soiling and browning.) Contemporary mottled calf, red speckled edges (covers chipped, neatly rebacked to style). Provenance: contemporary shelf mark; collation note at front and back, dated 1742/43. FIRST EDITION. SCARCE. Not in Honeyman; no recorded auction sale for the past 25 years. This work further enhanced Simpson's reputation after publication of his 1737 treatise on fluxions. Soon after he was made a member of the Royal Academy of Stockholm, and Professor of Mathematics at the Royal Academy at Woolwich; he became a fellow of the Royal Society in 1745. A second edition was published in 1792.