NEWTON, Isaac. 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: for Sam. Smith, and Benj. Walford, 1704, 4° (242 x 194mm.), FIRST EDITION, 19 folding engraved plates (short tear to title with very slight loss, title spotted, clean deep tear to margin of I1 and short tear to margin of Aa3, light dampstaining occasionally affecting text or engraved area of plates, occasional light marginal spotting or soiling), contemporary calf (skilfully restored), spine gilt in compartments, red morocco lettering-piece. [Babson 132; Dibner 148; PMM 172; Sparrow 150; Wallis 174]

Details

NEWTON, Isaac. 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: for Sam. Smith, and Benj. Walford, 1704, 4° (242 x 194mm.), FIRST EDITION, 19 folding engraved plates (short tear to title with very slight loss, title spotted, clean deep tear to margin of I1 and short tear to margin of Aa3, light dampstaining occasionally affecting text or engraved area of plates, occasional light marginal spotting or soiling), contemporary calf (skilfully restored), spine gilt in compartments, red morocco lettering-piece. [Babson 132; Dibner 148; PMM 172; Sparrow 150; Wallis 174]

Provenance

FROM THE LIBRARY OF SIR OLIVER JOSEPH LODGE (1851-1940) by direct descent. First professor of physics at the new University College in Liverpool, Lodge was the inventor of the sparking plug and "is also remembered for his experiments on electromagnetic radiation, in which he came close to anticipating Heinrich Hertz's discovery of propagating waves, and for his participation in the beginnings of radiotelegraphy." (DSB)

Lot Essay

Opticks "is one of the greatest 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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