Greaves, John

Pyramidographia: or A description of the pyramids in Ægypt. George Badger, 1646, first edition, woodcut initials and headpieces, engraved and woodcut illustrations, 2 folding engraved plates [ESTC R11556; Hilmy i, 276; Wing G1804]

A discourse of the Romane foot, and denarius: from whence, as from two principles, the measures and weights, used by the ancients, may be deduced. M[iles] F[lesher] for William Lee, 1647, first edition, first issue (with "LXXXIV pounds" on p.14), woodcut intials, engraved illustrations, folding engraved plate by W. Marshall [ESTC R18622; Wing G1800; Goldsmiths 924; Kress 708]



two works in one volume, 8vo (170 x 106mm.), annotations (in English and Arabic) in several early hands, seventeenth-century calf, first work shaved at head in places with some slight loss of text, small hole in title-page of second work, small tear in margin of one folding plate (second work), hinges cracked, binding worn

Isaac Newton (1642-1727); John Huggins; Charles Huggins (d.1750), bookplate; Dr James Musgrave, bookplate and pressmark E4-40

John Harrison, The Library of Isaac Newton, 697 and 698

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."

From the library of Isaac Newton.

Newton's library was sold on his death for £300 to John Huggins, the infamously corrupt and cruel Warden of the Fleet Prison, who gave the books to his son Charles Huggins, rector of Chinnor, most likely out of "a determination to make [him] the country gentleman he could never be" (Harrison, p.30). On Huggins' death in 1750 the library passed, with the living, to Dr James Musgrave (whose bookplate is often found, as here, pasted over the earlier, and smaller, Huggins bookplate). Newton's library remained in the Musgrave family until part of it was sold at auction in 1920; the remaining books were kept back and are now in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge. The present copy is listed in both the inventory of Newton's books made on behalf of his administrators in 1727 and known as the Huggins List and in the catalogue made by James Musgrove in about 1767.