MORLAND, THE DESCRIPTION AND USE OF TWO ARITHMETICK INSTRUMENTS, LONDON, 1673, CONTEMPORARY BLACK MOROCCO GILT

FIRST EDITION, EARLY ISSUE (see footnote), 8vo (148 x 85mm.), text: with a second printed title page entitled "A new, and most useful instrument for addition and substraction (sic)" dated 1672, and with text leaf F8 bearing a few printed numbers on verso, illustrations: 26 engravings as follows - portrait frontispiece, 6 plates pasted onto blank versos of second title and pp.1-5 (A2-7), 4 folding plates pasted onto verso of pp.6 and [8]-10 (A8 and B1-3), 8 further engraved plates, one folding, (6 to be found preceding sig. G2), 7 full-page illustrations printed on verso of text or printed dos-à-dos, contemporary panelled calf gilt, gilt edges, red cloth chemise and morocco-backed cloth slipcase, 2 folding plates (on versos of p.[8] and p.10) with folding section restored in facsimile, occasional slight soiling, upper joint splitting

Charles Webb, signature on title; Robert B. Honeyman (1897-1987), bookplate, sale in these rooms, 12-13 May 1980, lot 2257, Jonathan Hill

Tomash & Williams M132; Wing M2777; Hoock & Jeannin II/M43.2; Kress (supplement) S538; Origins of Cyberspace 9; Rendell 1979 p.153

the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"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."

A RARE EARLY ISSUE OF THE FIRST BOOK ON A CALCULATOR WRITTEN IN ENGLISH. Morland was responsible for many inventions in addition to his calculator, including a "Perpetual almanac", a speaking-trumpet and a mechanical device for raising water. His work obtained the interest and occasional financial support of King Charles II, who named Morland his "Master of Mechanicks" in 1681. According to ESTC (R232354 and R30529) earlier impositions of this work have the illustrations at the beginning pasted in, as in this copy, whereas later ones have them printed onto the verso of the text. Additionally this copy varies from the other copies in this collection in having the illustrations for "To find out the prime or golden number" and for "Moveable feasts [termes]" as printed on one side of the leaf only (described above as "plates"), rather than being printed dos-à-dos. It also has the leaf F8 which is blank except for a few printed numbers on the verso and is rare. The make-up of copies seems to vary and the collation is complex.