Newton, Isaac

"A Letter of Mr. Isaac Newton ... containing his New Theory about Light and Colors" extracted from Philosophical Transactions, vol.6, no. 80 (19 February 1671/1672) plus some book notices, comprising pages 3075–3095 and index (Gggg1r–Iiii4). London: for John Martyn, 1671[1672]



4to (8 5/8 x 6 ¼ in.; 220 x 158 mm). Some old underlining and manuscript corrections. Antique blind-tooled calf, spine gilt.

John Crerar Library (bookplate)

Babson 165; Dibner, Heralds 144; Gray 231, no. 1; Grolier/Horblit 79a; Lilly/Westfall 79; Wallis 231 (1)

4to (8 5/8 x 6 ¼ in.; 220 x 158 mm). Some old underlining and manuscript corrections. Antique blind-tooled calf, spine gilt.
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First printing of Newton's first scientific publication. "Newton had encountered the problem of colors during his years of discovery as an undergraduate, and very early he had entertained the idea that colors do not arise from the modification of homogeneous light, as the prevailing theory held, but from the separation of a heterogeneous mixture of rays each of which causes a different sensation of color. ... On 6 February 1672, Newton mailed to Henry Oldenburg, the Secretary of the Royal Society, a summary statement of the theory he had expounded. ... Published at once in the Philosophical Transactions, it established Newton's reputation across Europe" (Lilly/Westfall).