Magnitskii, Leontii Filippovich

folio (303 x 195mm.), engraved frontispiece by Mikhail Karnovski, printed in red and black throughout, woodcut head- and tailpieces, 3 folding letterpress tables bound between ff. 33 and 34, woodcut illustrations, 2 engraved plates by Karnovski (at f. 225 and at end), contemporary Russian calf over wooden boards, gilt centrepiece on upper cover composed of four small eagle stamps, gilt border composed of a repeated flower tool, spine with small gilt stamp in each compartment, two clasps, lacking letterpress title-page, small hole in f. 259 with slight loss, some staining throughout, some fraying and paper repairs throughout, some pages becoming loose, binding rubbed, spine defective, lacking both straps; sold not subject to return

Drage 390

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."

The first Russian treatise on mathematics and the second secular work to be printed in Moscow.

The main compiler of this treatise, Magnitskii, was one of the first students at Peter the Great's Moscow School of Mathematics and Navigation, which opened in 1701. Although printed in the traditional Cyrillic types, the text included the use of Arabic numerals and some technical terms printed in the original Latin and Greek. The print run comprised at least 2,400 copies, and the two-colour printing, with woodcut diagrams appropriately placed, demonstrated a certain level of sophistication from the Moscow Printing House.