BABBAGE, C. TWO ITEMS RELATING TO HIS DIFFERENCE ENGINE

i. Babbage, Charles. "Mr. Babbage's Invention. Copies of the correspondence between the Lord's Commissioners of his Majesty's treasury and the President and council of the Royal Society, relative to an Invention of Mr. Babbage. [London: Royal Society of London, 1823], disbound, 6pp., slight spotting, (bought from Pickering & Chatto, London, 1994), [T&W B34; Origins of Cyberspace 31; Van Sinderen 18 (cited)]ii. [Babbage, Charles.] "On the theoretical principles of the machinery for calculating tables. In a letter from Charles Babbage... to Dr. Brewster. [in:] The Edinburgh Philosophical Journal Vol. VIII. No. 15, pp.122-128. January 1823. Edinburgh: Archibald Constable, 1823, 8vo, rebound in modern paper covers, preserved in modern cloth folding box, some slight spotting, (bought from Biblion, 1983), [T&W B60; Origins of Cyberspace 32; Van Sinderen 20]

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when 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 item is the first separate printing of the British government's reprint of Babbage's 1822 letter to Sir Humphry Davy which also appears in volume 15 of The House of Commons Sessional Papers, paginated 9-16. This separate printing also includes for the first time copies of accompanying letters from the Treasury and the Royal Society. The letter to Brewster describes the interesting developments occurring when the Difference Engine, rather than simply adding differences, was set to add multiples of differences.