NEWTON, Isaac (1642-1727). Opticks: or a Treatise of the Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions and Colours of Light. Also Two Treatises of the Species and Magnitude of Curvilinear Figures, London: Sam. Smith & Benj. Walford, 1704, 4° (242 x 188mm.), FIRST EDITION, title printed in red and black, 19 folding engraved plates (margin of title and first and last few leaves dampstained, marginal tear to one plate, occasional spotting and dust-soiling, still good and clean), contemporary panelled calf (rebacked, corners restored), sprinkled edges. [Babson 132; Dibner 148; PMM 172; Sparrow 150; Wallis 174].

Details

NEWTON, Isaac (1642-1727). Opticks: or a Treatise of the Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions and Colours of Light. Also Two Treatises of the Species and Magnitude of Curvilinear Figures, London: Sam. Smith & Benj. Walford, 1704, 4° (242 x 188mm.), FIRST EDITION, title printed in red and black, 19 folding engraved plates (margin of title and first and last few leaves dampstained, marginal tear to one plate, occasional spotting and dust-soiling, still good and clean), contemporary panelled calf (rebacked, corners restored), sprinkled edges. [Babson 132; Dibner 148; PMM 172; Sparrow 150; Wallis 174].

Provenance

Tho. Staunton, London Jan: 22. 1756, inscription to front endpaper;
And: Coltèe Du Carel, bookplate; E.N. da C. Andrade, bookplate.

Lot Essay

"This book, the Opticks, is one of the great classics of science. It is written with the utmost clarity, and, with a beautiful choice of words, describes experimental investigations which are a model for all time of discovery, logically developed." (Andrade, Isaac Newton, p. 63)

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