Babbage, Charles.

8vo (247 x 149mm.), contemporary green straight-grained morocco, sides decorated in gilt and blind, gilt edges, occasional light spotting, both covers very lightly faded at head and foot 

Wilhem Voss, bookplate

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Charles Babbage had long been exercised by the inaccuracies of mathematical tables and set out to design an 'analytical engine' for the mechanised production of such tables. By the time his Table of the logarithms of the natural numbers, from 1 to 108000, 'among the best ever made' (DSB), was first published in 1827, he had only developed a prototype of his engine, so composed these tables manually. The preface contains useful information about the layout and typography of mathematical tables, as well as a discussion of the best colour paper to use: the first edition was printed on yellow paper. This second edition corrects the errors found in the first.

The elaborate binding on this copy indicates that it may well have been intended for presentation.