Isaac Newton | The Mathematical principles of natural philosophy, London, 1729, 2 volumes, contemporary calf

Isaac Newton

The mathematical principles of natural philosophy... Translated... by Andrew Motte. To which are added, the laws of the Moon's motion, according to gravity. By John Machin. London: Benjamin Motte, 1729

FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH, 2 volumes, 8vo (192 x 118mm.), engraved frontispiece by A. Motte in first volume and engraved illustration by A. Motte bound opposite page 148 in second volume, section-title to Machin's Laws of Motion, 47 folding engraved plates, 2 folding letterpress tables, 3 engraved headpieces by Motte, numerous woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, contemporary calf, red sprinkled edges, lacking frontispiece to volume 2, wormhole in gutter of first few leaves of volume 1, light staining to preface, vol.2 plate XI slightly shaved at head, bindings rubbed, joints weak, upper cover of volume 1 nearly detached, spines slightly rubbed and chipped

First English-language edition of Newton's Principia, "perhaps the greatest intellectual stride that it has ever been granted to any man to make" (Einstein). "The Principia is generally described as the greatest work in the history of science. Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler had certainly shown the way; but where they described the phenomena they observed, Newton explained the underlying laws" (PMM).

The first edition was published in Latin in 1687, followed by a second in 1713. This edition is translated by Andrew Motte, the brother of the publisher, who also provided the engravings for the frontispieces and headpieces. John Machin's unsuccessful attempt to correct Newton's lunar theory is included at the end.

LITERATURE:

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