Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500
The Collection of Victor Niederhoffer part II
Auction: September 19, 2019 11:00:00 AM EDT
London: for Benjamin Alsop, 1684. Translated by Richard Waller. 4to. Leaf size 225x154mm., [A4], a-b4, B-Y4, Z3, lacking Z4 [terminal blank]. With additional engraved vignette title and 19 engraved plates. Finely bound in modern black morocco, lettered in gilt to spine; with minor wear. Title page and the order to print leaf [A1] repaired and filled in with modern paper at edges, fore edge of additional engraved title trimmed with small losses to image, internally lightly toned, scattered light spotting, darkening and light soiling primarily to leaves at front and back, a few small paper faults in blank margins, moderate darkening to title page, a few old ink annotations to title page. Lacking the terminal blank [Z4]. Ex-library with ink stamp on verso of letterpress title. Wing A161; ESTCR6541.
First and only English translation of this book, important in the early history of experimental science. Describing experiments on air pressure, the freezing of water, an account of Torricelli’s development of the barometer, electrical and magnetic experiments, measurements of the velocity of sound and light, experiments on heat and cold.
Richard Waller (d. 1715), British naturalist, translator, and illustrator, member of the Royal Society from 1681, secretary of the Society 1687-1709, 1710-1714; edited the Society’s Philosophical Transactions 1691-1695.