ScienceThere are 104 items
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Adagiorum liber. Eiusdem de inuentoribus rerum libri octo, ex accurata autoris castigatione, locupletationéq. non uulgari, adeo ut maxima ferè pars primae ante hanc utriusq. uoluminis aeditioni accesserit
Basel, Johann Froben, 1521 (July)First printing of revised and vastly enlarged editions of Polydore’s collection of adages or proverbs and of his encyclopaedia De Inventoribus rerum, on those who have discovered things, in a well-preserved calf binding executed circa 1550 in Paris for Marcus (Marx) Fugger. The edition is distinguished by a fine woodcut title-border representing the “Triumph of Humanitas” by Urs Graf. -
De romanis piscibus libellus ad Ludovicum Borbonium Cardinalem amplissimum
Rome, Francesco Minuzio Calvo, 1524 (August)First edition of the papal physician Paolo Giovio’s first published work, “Of Roman fish”, conceived at a banquet Clement VII gave for François Louis, cardinal of Bourbon, during which the nomenclature of fish and seafood available in Roman markets had been disputed, and Giovio encouraged to compose his treatise. -
Quilatador de oro, plata, y piedras. Compuesto por Iuan de Arphe y Villafañe, natural de Leon, Escultor de Oro, y Plata, en las Casas Reales de la Moneda de Segovia
Madrid, Antonio Francisco de Zafra [at the expense of Doña Maria del Ribero], 1678A collected edition of Juan de Arfe's highly influential writings on the assaying of metals, with woodcut illustrations of precision balances, smelting furnaces, and other laboratory apparatus, faceted gems, and a diameter gauge for pricing pearls, taken from the original blocks. The author writes of Peruvian and Brazilian emeralds, mentions amethysts imported from the West Indies, and the pearl-fisheries of Panama, Cuba, and Cabo de Vela. -
Adami a Lebenwaldt… Erstes Tractätel Von deß Teuffels List und Betrug In der Hebreer Cabala Mit einem Vorbericht Wie der Teuffel bey dem Menschlichen Geschlecht auff unterschidliche Weiß eingeschlichen § Andertes Tractätel Von der List und Betrug deß Teuffels In Der Astrologia Iudiciaria, Oder zu vil Urtheilenden Stern-Kunst In welcher klar vor Augen gestellet wird daß solche Wissenschaft Grund-loß und von deß listigen Teuffels Schuelen ihren Ursprung nehme § Drittes Tractätel Von deß Teuffels List und Betrug In den Vier Elementen und vil andern aberglaubischen Dingen § Vierdtes Tractätel Von deß Teuffels List und Betrug In der Falschen Alchymisterey Und Goldmacher-Kunst Darinnen außführlicher Bericht gegeben wird von den so genandten Fratribus Roseae Crucis oder Rosen-Creutzern und Theophrasto Paracelso § Fünfftes Tractätl Von Deß Teuffels List und Betrng In der Berg-Ruethen Und Berg-Spiegl Mit einem Vorsatz deß Menschenspiegls nemblich von der Physiognomia, Metoscopia, und Chiromantia § Sechstes Tractätl Von deß Teuffels List und Betrug In der Waffen-Salben Und so genandten Sympathetischen Pulver § Sibentes Tractätl Von deß Teuffels List und Betrug In der Transplantation Oder Uberpflantzung der Kranckheit § Achtes Tractätl Von deß Teuffels List und Betrug in Verführung der Menschen zur Zauberey Allwo auch von dem Antichrist als letzten Zauberer gehandlet wird mit dem Beschluß wie man sich vvr deß Teuffels List Anfechtung und Verführung bewahren solle
Salzburg, Johann Baptist Mayr, 1680-1681Only edition of “On the Cunning and Treachery of the Devil”, a series of eight tracts addressed to a simple audience in which the author condemns in turn cabalists, casters of horoscopes, alchemists and Rosicrucians, practitioners and believers in the divining rod, weapon-salve cures (cure by sympathy), and “transplantation” (causing or curing illness at will), together with magicians of all kinds. -
Catalogue raisonné de coquilles, et autres curiosités naturelles
Paris, Flahault & Prault, 1736The catalogue of an auction sale commenced on 30 January 1736, in which 450 lots of shells and 132 of Surinamese insects and reptiles were offered. To recruit connoisseurs to the collecting of marine naturalia, Gersaint prefaces the catalogue with “Observations sur les Coquillages”, in which shells are elevated to the status of works of art, and described as a source of inspiration for architects, sculptors, and painters; with a “Liste des Principaux Cabinets”; and with a list of the authors who have described shells. At the head of the catalogue, is a still-life of shells and coral, designed by François Boucher, and engraved by Claude Duflos, which serves as a condensed illustration of the collection and its decorative potential, while identifying Gersaint as the source of Rococo chic.Bound with Catalogue raisonné d’une collection considérable de diverses Curiosités en tous Genres, contenues dans les Cabinets de feu Monsieur Bonnier de la Mosson. Paris, Jacques Barrois & Pierre-Guillaume Simon, 1744
The second work in this volume is Gersaint’s catalogue of the collections gathered by Joseph Bonnier de la Mosson (d. 26 July 1744), divided for sale in nine sections, comprising shells, insects, and animals stuffed or in preserving fluids; scientific instruments, pharmaceutical apparatus, and machinery; ornamental turning, bronzes, porcelain, clocks, and other works of art; pictures and prints; and furniture. This copy was bound for Jean-Claude Fauconnet de Vildé, Conseiller de la ville de Paris (d. circa 1765).
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Delle uova e dei nidi degli uccelli. Libro primo [all published] É Aggiunte in fine alcune Osservazioni, con una Dissertazione sopra varie spezie di Cavallette
Venice, Antonio Bortoli, 1737First edition of the first work to deal exclusively with birds’ eggs and birds’ nests, illustrating the eggs of one hundred species, classified into three groups: predatory and non-predatory land birds, and aquatic birds, each with a brief account of the nest, breeding time, and physical features of the eggs. Ginanni had created on his property in Ravenna a garden rich in exotic plants and a “piccolo Museo di cose naturali”, containing many of the specimens here engraved. The continuation promised on the title-page never appeared, for the reason (published in the dedication of the author’s Opere postume 1755) that “non essendomi riuscito di fare altra sufficiente Raccolta di Uova d’Uccelli”. -
American Mathematical Textbooks 1760-1850 : Collection for sale
1760-1850A substantial collection of American textbooks of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, including representative selections of primers combining lessons in spelling, reading, and writing with arithmetic, designated for use in schools, academies, and lyceums; textbooks of natural philosophy, astronomy, and mathematical geography specified for use in colleges; and ready-reckoners and other books of tables intended for tradesmen. Although textbooks for all levels of instruction are offered, the collection is strongest in those prepared for use in elementary and secondary schools. The reform of mathematical education through the introduction of “Pestalozzian” or child-centred methods of instruction is thus amply documented.
The collection was built using as a guide Louis C. Karpinski’s magisterial Bibliography of mathematical works printed in America through 1850 (Ann Arbor 1940, with three supplements published 1941-1954). Karpinski investigated the holdings of more than one hundred libraries and found that nine had purposefully collected in this field. According to his tabulated analysis, our collection would have occupied sixth rank, nearly approximating the holdings of Columbia University, exceeding those of Boston Public Library and New York Public Library.
We offer 269 different works, plus 192 subsequent editions, for a total of 511 printed books, and in addition five manuscript ciphering and exercise books. Thirty-three eighteenth-century books are offered, fifty-five printed 1801-1810, sixty-five printed 1811-1820, ninety-five printed 1821-1830, 129 printed 1831-1840, 124 printed 1841-1850, and ten printed post-1850. Forty-one books in the collection are editions not recorded by Karpinski. Twenty-six books represent editions not yet recorded in the American Bibliography 1801-1819 (New York 1958-1966) and Checklist of American Imprints 1820-1844 (New York, Metuchen & London 1964-1993), the principal bibliographical tools available for the study of nineteenth-century American books. Another seventeen books in the collection have imprints different to those stated in the Checklist.
With few exceptions, the books are offered in original condition and in original bindings, and the collection is thus of interest also to historians of the book. Textbooks published in the period before 1820 commonly were offered in three styles of binding: scaleboard (a shingle of wood, backed with leather, finished with either blue paper or marbled paper on covers), leather-backed boards covered by marbled paper, and full leather. In this collection, twenty books are in scaleboard bindings, forty-five in paper boards finished with marbled paper, and 259 in full-leather, the most expensive (and durable) binding. About 1820, a type of publishers’ binding with printed covers became popular. Eighty-nine books are in such bindings, the earliest published in 1815, and several of these binding contribute valuable bibliographical evidence. A few books still retain coverings in cloth and paper fashioned by pupils to protect them from wear.
As a rule, textbooks have been inscribed, drawn-on, or otherwise marked, more consistently than most books, by readers who are not usually purchasers. Few owners failed to write at least their names on the endleaves; many pupils added incantations against borrowers and thieves of books, sentimental verses of affection to other students, comments upon their classmates and teachers, drawings, rubbings of coins, pen trails and scrolls. Textbooks preserved in libraries are routinely rebound and this evidence of ownership discarded, to the detriment of scholarship.
For example, forty books in this collection have ownership inscriptions by girls. When mathematics became inserted in the elementary curriculum, it was taught to boys and girls alike, however girls did not progress to study algebra and geometry. Ownership entries in books in this collection suggests that the moment of transition, when the stereotype of the non-mathematical feminine mind eroded sufficiently for algebra and geometry to be taught to girls, occurred about 1840. This early date contradicts suppositions about the elementary curriculum made recently by several historians.
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Some early treatises on technological chemistry. Supplement II § Supplement III § Supplement IV § Supplement V § Joannes Matthaeus and his tract "De rerum inventoribus" § Bibliographical note on the “De triumpho stultitiae” of Perisaulus Faustinus
Glasgow & London, Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow, 1890-1916Seven items (22-23.5 cm), offprints, as issued, in printed wrappers. ¶ Wrappers of one offprint slightly damaged; otherwise very good, unmarked copies. -
Bibliotheca chemica : Catalogue of the alchemical, chemical, and pharmaceutical books in the collection of the late James Young
Glasgow, James Maclehose & Sons, 1906Two volumes (27 cm), xxi (1), 487 (1); (iv), 598, (2) pp., photogravure frontispiece portrait of James Young in each volume (tissue guardsheet present). Uniform publisher’s quarter-morocco, brown cloth. - Original edition of a work that has served as a beacon and pilot for generations of collectors. The collection was donated by James “Paraffin” Young (1811-1883) to Anderson’s College, and is now incorporated in the University of Strathclyde Library, Glasgow. The compiler of the catalogue, John Ferguson, was Regius Professor of Chemistry at Glasgow, and himself an active collector of books on alchemy and the occult sciences (Ferguson’s own gift to the University included 104 incunabula and 317 manuscripts). This catalogue was printed for private distribution in an edition of 250 copies. ¶ Fine copy, untrimmed and unopened, the bindings very slightly rubbed. Exlibris of Robert Honeyman; sold by Sotheby’s, The Honeyman collection of scientific books and manuscripts, Part VII, London, 19-20 May 1981, lot 3231. -
Catalogue of the Wheeler Gift of books, pamphlets and periodicals in the Library of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers
New York, American Institute of Electrical Engineers, 1909Two volumes (24.5 cm), I: vii (1), 504 pp., frontispiece-portrait (tissue guardsheet present). II: 475 (1) pp., frontispiece-portrait (tissue interleaf). Uniform publisher’s orange cloth. - 5,966 entries, classified in eleven sections. The library of the English electrical engineer and pioneer of telegraphy, Josiah Latimer Clark (1822-1898), purchased in 1901 by Schuyler Skaats Wheeler (1860-1923) and later presented by him to the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. In 1995 the collection was distributed between the NYPL and Linda Hall Library. First edition. ¶ Bindings lightly rubbed and finger-marked; fore-edge of volume II spotted; otherwise a very good, unmarked copy. -
A History of magic and experimental science during the first thirteen centuries of our era
London (New York), Macmillan & Co (Columbia University Press), 1923-1958Eight volumes (22-23 cm), I-II (During the first thirteen centuries of our era, 1923): xl (2), 835 (1) pp.; vi (2), 1036 pp. III-IV (Fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, 1934): xxvi, 827 (3) pp.; xviii, 767 (3) pp. V-VI (The sixteenth century, 1941): xxii, 695 (1) pp.; xviii, 766 pp. VII-VIII (The seventeenth century, 1958): x, 695 (1) pp.; viii, 808 pp. Publisher’s cloth, printed dust jackets (vols. III-IV only; no dust jackets issued for vols. VII-VIII). - A wealth of information is provided on men now forgotten but influential in their time. ¶ Spines sunned (vols. 1-2); short tears in dust jackets. Fine set in first editions. From the library of Dr E. Ashworth Underwood, FRCP, with his pencil inscriptions (sale by Sotheby’s, 23 February 1981, lot 306). -
Barnacles in nature and myth
London, Oxford University Press & Humphrey Milford, 1928(23 cm), xv, 180 pp. 8 plates, text illustrations. Publisher’s black cloth binding. - According to ancient myth, geese were not hatched from eggs, but grew from barnacles on the shoreline. The myth lived on until the beginning of the 18th century among scholars of good reputation. Based on a discourse to the Sette of Odd Volumes at the 410th Meeting, 26 January 1926. ¶ Author’s presentation inscription to Clifford & Iris Burton, dated 23 November 1928, on half-title. Very good copy. -
British Optical Association Library and Museum Catalogue § Catalogue. Volume II
London, British Optical Association, 1932; 1935Two volumes (26 cm), I: xv (1), 335 (1) pp., with 843 illustrations on 75 plates (further 50 illustrations printed with text). II: (8) 138 pp., illustrations. Publisher’s printed wrappers. - Founded in 1901 by the British Optical Association, the Library grew steadily, absorbing the private collections R.S. Clay, A.W. Oxbrow, and J.H. Sutcliffe, and in 1926, with assistance of the Carnegie Trust, it commenced an ambitious programme of acquisitions, leading to a third volume of the catalogue, published 1957 (not present here). The Association was voluntarily disbanded in 1980, and the library transferred to the College of Optometrists. ¶ Pencil annotations in some margins; small piece of wrapper spine missing (vol. 2). Good copies. -
British Optical Association Library and Museum Catalogue
London, British Optical Association, 1932(26 cm), xv (1), 335 (1) pp., with 843 illustrations on 75 plates (further 50 illustrations printed with text). Publisher’s quarter-leather binding. - Part I only (two further volumes of the catalogue were published, in 1935 and 1957). Founded in 1901 by the British Optical Association, the Library grew steadily, absorbing the private collections R.S. Clay, A.W. Oxbrow, and J.H. Sutcliffe, and in 1926, with assistance of the Carnegie Trust, it commenced an ambitious programme of acquisitions. The Association was voluntarily disbanded in 1980, and the library transferred to the College of Optometrists. ¶ Back sunned; leather scuffed. Good, unmarked copy. -
Matthew Boulton
Cambridge, University Press, 1937(25 cm), xiv, 218 (2) pp., frontispiece, 14 plates, text illustrations. Errata slip tipped in. Publisher’s cloth, dust jacket. - First edition. The author was the biographer of James Watt and Robert Fulton and co-author of an authoritative work on the early steam engine. ¶ Dust jacket soiled and damaged (without loss); otherwise a very good, unmarked copy. -
The sacred bee in ancient times and folklore
London, George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937(23 cm), 308 pp., 12 plates and 35 text illustrations (according to title-page; in fact, 48 and 94 respectively). Publisher’s cloth, dust jacket. - Classical Greek myths and legends related to honey and bees. Original edition (reprinted in 1986, 2004). ¶ Dust jacket soiled, repaired (reinforced on verso). Bright, unmarked copy. -
Tobacco : Its history illustrated by the books, manuscripts and engravings in the library of George Arents, Jr. Together with an introductory essay, a glossary and bibliographic notes [by Jerome Edmund Brooks; volume 5 index by Anne M. Nill] § Tobacco. A catalogue of the books, manuscripts and engravings acquired since 1942 in the Arents Tobacco Collection at the New York Public Library. From 1507 to the present. Compiled by Sarah Augusta Dickson [parts 8-10 compiled by Perry Hugh O’Neil] (Arents Tobacco Collection Publications, 7-12)
New York, Rosenbach Company (vols. I-IV: Camden, NJ: Haddon Craftsmen; vol. V: Portland, Maine: Anthoensen Press) / New York Public Library, 1937-1952; 1958-1969Five volumes (34 × 24.5 cm), I (Imprints 1507-1615, 1937): xvi, 544 pp., including colour frontispiece, numerous illustrations printed with the text (7 printed in two or more colours). II (Imprints 1615-1698, 1938): xii, 564 pp., including frontispiece “View of the Library at ‘Hillbrook’, Rye, New York”), numerous illustrations printed with the text (10 printed in two colours). III (Imprints 1698-1783, 1941): viii, 546 pp., plus colour frontispiece (folding), numerous illustrations printed with the text (17 printed in two colours). IV (Imprints 1784-1942, 1943): (12) 386 pp., including colour frontispiece, numerous illustrations printed with the text (1 printed in two colours). “A synoptical chart [illustrating the chief divisions of the history of tobacco] has been placed at the inner back cover” (inserted in a pocket). Printed slip tipped-in at end: “In the Colophon the name of Richard Ellis was inadvertently omitted. He should also [with Jerome E. Brooks] be given credit for designing this book”. Printed card loosely inserted: “Such a large amount of additional material has been included in TOBACCO it will be necessary to publish a fifth volume containing the Index and notes on recent acquisitions. This volume is in preparation and will be sent without additional charge to those who have subscribed to a set of TOBACCO. May 1st, 1944”. V (Index, 1952): (8) 328 pp., including frontispiece portrait of George Arents, Jr. The five volumes uniformly bound in publisher’s orange cloth, bevelled boards, morocco lettering-pieces.
Offered with [Supplement] Tobacco: a catalogue of the books, manuscripts and engravings acquired since 1942 in the Arents Tobacco Collection at the New York Public Library. New York: New York Public Library, 1961-1969. Ten parts bound in two volumes.
A fine, complete set of the catalogue of the private library of George Arents Jr (1875-1960), privately printed in New York between 1937 and 1943 in an edition of 300 copies (this set is number 292). In 1944, the collection was received by the New York Public Library, and in 1952, an index volume (names of authors and subjects) was prepared by the New York Public Library. Ten supplements describing later additions to the collection were compiled by Arents Librarian Sarah Augusta Dickson and Curator Perry O’Neil from 1958 to 1969; subsequent acquisitions have been catalogued electronically. There are 3956 individual, catalogued entries (4235 separate, physical items). “Although the collection is devoted to tobacco and includes almost every important work dealing with the subject, it also contains many historical, literary, and artistic works in which tobacco appears only incidentally” (NYPL). ¶ Faultless set.
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L’Aeronautica italiana nell’immagine, 1487-1875 : Bibliografia di Giuseppe Boffito con aggiunte di Paolo Arrigoni
Milan, Museo Caproni, 1938(40 × 32 cm), (4) iv, 184 (2) pp., 174 plates (including frontispiece, portraits, map; some mounted, some in colour). Half-title outside pagination (preceding “Bibliografia cronologica dell’aeronautica italiana da Leonardo da Vinci al 1875”, pp.89-167); another preceding plates (inserted between p. 88 and 89). Publisher’s pictorial boards. - Edition of 500 copies. ¶ Edges and one corner of binding rubbed; otherwise a very fine copy. -
Bibliography of mathematical works printed in America through 1850
Ann Arbor & London, University of Michigan Press / Oxford University Press, 1940(28 cm), (2) xxvi, 697 (1) pp., 905 facsimiles of titles and other pages. Publisher’s blue cloth. - The bibliography documents the impressive rise of mathematical knowledge in the United States through the publication of textbooks of arithmetic and algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytical geometry, calculus, etc. 1092 separate publications are listed, and 1906 subsequent editions, in chronological order of the first editions. ¶ Exlibris of William P. Wreden (1910-1995); Bloomsbury Book Auctions, 5 October 1995, lot 201. Binding slightly worn at head and tail of the spine; small spot on upper cover; stain on lower endpaper; otherwise a good copy. Loosely inserted are photocopies of three supplements, published by Karpinski in Scripta mathematica, volumes 8 (1941-1942), 11 (1945), 20 (1954). -
A General Account of the Development of Methods of Using Atomic Energy for Military Purposes under the Auspices of the United States Government, 1940-1945… Written at the request of Major General L.R. Groves, United States Army. Publication authorized as of August 1945
Washington, DC, Government Printing Office, 1945The “Smyth Report” is a detailed account of the secret development of nuclear weaponry by the United States Government.
