Moore, Jonas | A new systeme of the mathematicks, London, 1681, first edition, and several other works

Moore, Jonas

A new systeme of the mathematicks. London: Anne Godbid and John Playford for Robert Scott, 1681; [Bound with:] The Doctrine of the Sphere, Grounded on the Motion of the Earth, and the Ancient Pythagorean or Copernican System of the World. London: A. Godbid and J. Playford, 1680; [And:] Arithmetick in Species, or, Algebra. London: Anne Godbid and John Playford, 1680; [And:] The Six First Books of Euclid's Elements. London: Anne Godbid and John Playford, 1680; [And] The Eleventh and Twelfth Books of Euclid's Elements. London: Anne Godbid and John Playford, 1680; [And] The Doctrine of Surds. London: Anne Godbid and John Playford, 1680 ; [And:] A new systeme of the mathematicks. London: Anne Godbid and John Playford for Robert Scott, 1681; [And:] A New Geography, with Maps to each Country, and Tables of Longitude and Latitude. London: For Robert Scott, 1681

First edition, rare at auction, of this illustrated work by the mathematician, surveyor, and patron of astronomy Sir Jonas Moore (1617–1679).

Moore is notable for being a key figure in the establishment of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, as well as for his involvement in two high-profile seventeenth-century English civil engineering projects. The present work, begun in 1677 and published posthumously, was written with the view of defining a suitable mathematics curriculum for the Royal Mathematics School at Christ's Hospital, London. While the work is composed by Moore, it also reflects the contributions of others, including Peter Perkins and John Flamsteed.

The work "represents the best mathematical education available in England at the time" (Tomash & Williams).

8 parts in 2 vols., 4to (226 x 172 mm). Additional engraved title to vol. 1, letterpress title printed in red and black, section titles for each part, 93 engraved plates and maps, 24 of which folding, one plate with volvelle opposite p. 254, woodcut initials and headpieces and numerous in-text engravings, correction slip tipped in to p. 185; engraved title loose, some plates trimmed close and offset, some closed and open tears, a few affecting plates, some with repairs, lacking volvelle at p. 262 present in other copies, vol. 2 with marginal dampstaining, overall lightly toned and spotted, contemporary and later notes to preliminaries. Contemporary paneled calf, spine in six compartments, second and third with red and blue gilt-lettered labels, edges sprinkled red; rubbed, joints starting, loss to spine head, foot, and joints, manuscript numerals to boards, volume 2 spine restored.

REFERENCES

Tomash & Williams M125; USTC 3102825; ESTC R30526; Wing M2579; [A New Geography:] USTC 3102824; ESTC R231849; Wing M2578

PROVENANCE

James Bolton (ownership note dated 1700 to vol. 2 front free endpaper) — Robert S. Dunham (note dated "Xmas 1961" to upper pastedown)