Details
[WORCESTER, Edward Somerset, Earl of (1601-1667)]. A Century of the Names and Scantlings of such Inventions, as at present I can call to mind to have tried and perfected. London: J. Grismond, 1663.
12o (128 x 77 mm). Without the rare 34-page supplement. Contemporary calf (rebacked, worn). Provenance: Richard Comes (early signature on final leaf verso); Henry Utrick Reay, Killingworth House near Newcastle upon Tyne (gift inscription from "Mr. Brand" [probably John Brand, 1744-1806, antiquary and author of History of Newcastle-upon-Tyne] on front flyleaf, dated 1803); Rev. William Charles Hall, Norfolk (etched armorial bookplate).
FIRST EDITION. In which he suggested a calculating machine (no. 84): "an Instrument whereby persons ignorant in Arithmetick may perfectly observe Numerations and Subtractions of all Summes and Fractions"; and an hydraulic machine (no. 68) "for driving up water by fire." "This was a very ingenious adumbration of a steam pumping-engine, but there is no evidence of any practical attempt by Worcester to give effect to such an idea" (DNB). Wing W-3532; Norman 1975.
12o (128 x 77 mm). Without the rare 34-page supplement. Contemporary calf (rebacked, worn). Provenance: Richard Comes (early signature on final leaf verso); Henry Utrick Reay, Killingworth House near Newcastle upon Tyne (gift inscription from "Mr. Brand" [probably John Brand, 1744-1806, antiquary and author of History of Newcastle-upon-Tyne] on front flyleaf, dated 1803); Rev. William Charles Hall, Norfolk (etched armorial bookplate).
FIRST EDITION. In which he suggested a calculating machine (no. 84): "an Instrument whereby persons ignorant in Arithmetick may perfectly observe Numerations and Subtractions of all Summes and Fractions"; and an hydraulic machine (no. 68) "for driving up water by fire." "This was a very ingenious adumbration of a steam pumping-engine, but there is no evidence of any practical attempt by Worcester to give effect to such an idea" (DNB). Wing W-3532; Norman 1975.