Becher, Johann Joachim | Two works in one volume

Becher, Johann Joachim

De nova temporis dimetiendi ratione, et accurata horologiorum constructione, theoria & experientia. Ad Societatem Regiam Anglicanam in Collegio Greshamensi Londini, Jan. 1680. London: T.N. for Mark Pardoe, 1680. [And:] Minera arenaria perpetua: sive prodromus historia. London: T.N. for Mark Pardoe, 1680

Two works in one volume, 4to (220 x 161 mm). Plate to first work, woodcut initial and typographical headpieces; some browning, staining, and foxing. Full contemporary calf, spine with raised bands in five compartments, second gilt-lettered, others with repeat gilt floral device, edges stained red; some rubbing to extremities, restoration to joints.

Becher spent the last few years of his life in London, attempting to get elected to the Royal Society. Despite dedicating his work on clock design to them, he was unsuccessful.

The De nova temporis is part of the third supplement to Becher's work on chemistry and alchemy, Physica subterranea (first published 1669, with the supplements appearing in 1671, 1675 and 1680).

REFERENCES

Wing B1642 and B1645

PROVENANCE

Earls of Macclesfield (armorial bookplate to upper pastedown; Sotheby's London, 10 June 2004, "The Library of the Earls of Macclesfield removed from Shirburn Castle, Part II: Science A-C," lot 321)