HODGSON, A SYSTEM OF THE MATHEMATICS, LONDON, 1723, 2 VOL., PRESENTATION COPY, CONTEMPORARY CALF GILT

FIRST EDITION, 2 volumes, 4to (215 x 156mm.), 13 engraved folding plates (5+8, ?of 14), some attached to fore-edge of text leaves, numerous woodcut diagrams, a few engraved illustrations (e.g. p.58, vol.1 and p.54, vol.2, the latter pasted in and with overlays), contemporary calf gilt, lacking pp.i-viii of contents in vol.1, last leaf vol.2 soiled, spines slightly rubbed, repaired at head and foot, lacking labels

Captain Vernon (identified by a former owner as Admiral Edward Vernon (1684-1757), who served with distinction in the Americas and after whom the home of the first American president, George Washington, was named); Harrison Horblit (1912-1988), book label, sale, Christie's East, 16 February 1994, lot 42; bought from Simon Finch, London, 2000

Tomash & Williams H147; ESTC T111825; Adams & Waters 2113; Henderson p.207 no. 67.01; Taylor, Hanoverian, p.129

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."

PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed "To my Honoured Friend Captain Vernon this System of the Mathematics is most humbly presented by the author" (see provenance). James Hodgson was an assistant to John Flamsteed, the first astronomer royal, at the Royal Observatory, from 1695, and later acted jointly with Flamsteed's widow to ensure that the "authorized" version of his Historia coelestis (1725) and Atlas coelestis (1729) were completed and published. Hodgson was appointed to run the Royal Mathematical School at Christ's Hospital in 1709 and this work was published for the use of his pupils (see dedication to volume 2).