- 451
NAPIER, MIRIFICI LOGARITHMORUM... CONSTRUCTIO, EDINBURGH, 1619, WITH 2 OTHERS, 18TH CENTURY HALF CALF, MACCLESFIELD COPY
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
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Description
- Mirifici logarithmorum canonis constructio... una cum appendice... quibus accessere propositiones ad triangula sphaerica faciliore calculo resolvenda, [etc.]. Edinburgh: Andrew Hart, 1619, woodcut additional title, [Henderson pp.28-29 no. 5.0; Macdonald pp.140-141; STC 18350], some damp-staining, additional title slightly cropped at head
Gregory, James (1638-1675). Vera circuli et hyperbolae quadratura, in propria sua proportionis specie, inventa, & demonstrata. Padua: G. de Cadorino, (1667), folding engraved plate at end, a few woodcut diagrams in text, cropped at upper and lower edge (including imprint), title slightly soiled Estienne, Henri. The art of making devises... Translated into English... by T. B[lount]. London: Printed for John Holden, 1650, engraved additional title and 10 plates, a few engraved illustrations, [ESTC R12325; Wing E3352], some cropping, title slightly soiled 3 works in one volume, 4to (180 x 130mm.), eighteenth-century half calf, gilt spine, red morocco label lettered "Geomet[ry] & devises", red edges, modern cloth folding box
Provenance
Earls of Macclesfield, bookplate and blind-stamp on title, sale in these rooms, 4 November 2004, lot 885, £6,500, Erwin Tomash
Literature
Tomash & Williams N4, Add13, Add18
Condition
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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
FIRST EDITION of Napier's Mirifici logarithmorum canonis constructio. After the publication in 1614 of the description and the table of Napier's logarithms Mirifici logarithmorum canonis descriptio (see lot 448), he intended to publish a book explaining how they had been calculated. However he died in 1617 and his work had to be completed by his son Robert. It was published in 1619 under the title Mirifici logarithmorum canonis constructio. The two works are commonly referred to as the Descriptio and the Constructio.
Whilst the Descriptio was reprinted and translated many times, the Constructio, without any tables, was of little popular interest and was not translated into English until 1889. The woodcut title-page present in this copy was intended to be used as a general title when the two works were bound together and has the wording: Mirifici logarithmorum canonis descriptio... accesserunt opera posthuma... Mirifici ipsius canonis constructio. As with most copies, this one does not contain the reissue of the Descriptio.
Whilst the Descriptio was reprinted and translated many times, the Constructio, without any tables, was of little popular interest and was not translated into English until 1889. The woodcut title-page present in this copy was intended to be used as a general title when the two works were bound together and has the wording: Mirifici logarithmorum canonis descriptio... accesserunt opera posthuma... Mirifici ipsius canonis constructio. As with most copies, this one does not contain the reissue of the Descriptio.