Details
PLAYFAIR, John (1748-1819). Illustrations of the Huttonian theory of the earth. Edinburgh: for Cadell and Davies (London), and William Creech (Edinburgh), 1802.
8o (228 x 142 mm). (Some light occasional browning and foxing). Original blue boards, white paper spine, early manuscript lettering-piece on spine, UNCUT (spine worn, reinforced with 2 strips of cloth; some discoloration); folding cloth case. Provenance: WILLIAM HERSCHEL (1738-1822), astronomer (signature on title, later Herschel Library inkstamp on title and A1r; presumably the intended recipient of the presentation inscription "From the author" on verso of front free endpaper); Robert Honeyman IV (Sotheby's London, 10 November 1980, lot 2498).
FIRST EDITION. UNUSUAL PRESENTATION COPY OF ONE OF THE MOST CONSPICUOUS LANDMARKS IN THE PROGESS OF BRITISH GEOLOGY. Playfair, a professor of mathematics at the University of Edinburgh and a friend of James Hutton, revised Hutton's Theory of the earth to present his case more precisely, with additional evidence and without Hutton's religious ideas. Although Playfair's primary works were in mathematics and physics, he added substantially to the sum of geological knowledge of his time. Grolier/Horblit 52b; Norman 1717.
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FIRST EDITION. UNUSUAL PRESENTATION COPY OF ONE OF THE MOST CONSPICUOUS LANDMARKS IN THE PROGESS OF BRITISH GEOLOGY. Playfair, a professor of mathematics at the University of Edinburgh and a friend of James Hutton, revised Hutton's Theory of the earth to present his case more precisely, with additional evidence and without Hutton's religious ideas. Although Playfair's primary works were in mathematics and physics, he added substantially to the sum of geological knowledge of his time. Grolier/Horblit 52b; Norman 1717.