Huygens, Christiaan, Frans van Schooten, Seth Ward, and others

SCHOOTEN, Frans van. Principia matheseis universalis, seu introductio ad geometriae methodum Renati Des Cartes, edita ab Er. Bartholino. Leiden: Elzevir, 1651, title printed in red and black, woodcut device on title-page, woodcut initials and headpieces, without final blank leaf, [Willems 699]
HUYGENS, Christiaan. De circuli magnitudine inventa. Leiden: Elzevir, 1654, woodcut device on title-page, woodcut initials, headpieces and diagrams, manuscript shelfmark "K89" on last leaf, [Willems 746]
PELL, John. Controversiae de vera circuli mensura anno MDCXLIV exortae, inter Christianum Severini Longomontanum... et Ioannem Pellium... pars prima. Amsterdam: Jan Blaeu, 1647, title printed in red and black, woodcut device on title-page, woodcut diagrams
MERCATOR, Nicolaus. Logarithmo-technia, sive methodus construendi logarithmos nova, accurate, & facilis... Michaelis Angeli Ricci exercitatio geometrica de maximis & minimis... London: William Godbid, for Moses Pitt, 1668, folding engraved plate, [Wing M1730], lacking G5 (text) and G6 (blank)
WARD, Seth. Idea trigonometriae demonstratae... De cometis... Oxford: L. Lichfield, 1654, woodcut initials, headpieces and diagrams, a few deckle edges [Wing W821]
HERO ALEXANDRINUS. Spiritalium liber [translated by Federico Commandino]. [Paris]: Gilles Gourbin, 1583, woodcut device on title-page, woodcut initials and illustrations

6 works in one volume, 4to (189 x 143mm.), modern half tan morocco, flat spine gilt, old flyleaf with manuscript list of contents, some early ink annotations, occasional light staining

Turner Collection, University of Keele, bookplate and shelfmark C.4.21 (collection disposed of in 1999)

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."

FIRST EDITION of an early work of Huygens, on mathematics. He was taught mathematics by Schooten at Leiden in the 1640s, whose teaching covered both classical writers and modern scholars such as Viète and Descartes. In the later 1640s Huygens was at Breda where John Pell was teaching. Nicolaus Mercator spent most of his adult life in London, where he was acquainted with John Pell, Seth Ward and Newton and became a member of the Royal Society.