Bernoulli, Ars conjectandi, opus posthumum, Basel, 1713, first edition, modern vellum

From the Library of Clayre and Jay Michael Haft

Jacques Bernoulli

Ars conjectandi. opus posthumum. Accedit tractatus de seriebus infinitis, et epistola Gallice scripta de ludo pilae reticularis. Basel: Thurneisen Brothers, 1713

4to (202 x 160mm.), woodcut device on title-page, woodcut initials, 2 folding letterpress tables, folding woodcut plate, modern vellum, morocco label to spine, marbled edges, scattered spotting and browning, d2 torn at lower margin (not affecting text), worming to lower margin of first three leaves and small wormhole to spine

FIRST EDITION of Bernoulli’s most famous work, on series and probability, published posthumously. In many cases Bernoulli uses examples from games of chance to illustrate his theories. "[The] last section also contains some comments on jeu de paume—a game similar to modern tennis having little to do with the major topic of the work. This is Jacob’s thinly disguised satirical response to some caustic criticisms made earlier of his views on scholarly logic" (Tomash & Williams).

LITERATURE:

Dibner 110; Horblit 12; Norman 216; PMM 179; VD18 10312927