London, S. Palmer, 1728
Royal Society president Sir Hans Sloane's copy. A handsome copy of this classic introduction to Sir Isaac Newton's (1642-1727) natural philosophy, with illustrious provenance linking Newton, president of the Royal Society from 1703 to 1727, to his successor Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753), an eminent physician and collector who served as president of the society from Newton's death until 1741.
Although not as academically gifted as Newton, Sloane impressed members during his time as Society Secretary, where he played a key role in revitalising the publication of the Philosophical Transactions as editor. On his death, Sloane bequeathed his library and collection to the nation, which together with the Harleian and Cotton manuscripts forms the founding collection of the British Museum.
The author, Henry Pemberton (1694-1771), 'came to be on intimate terms with Richard Mead, Newton's physician... At this time an Italian, M. Poleni, produced a paper about the force generated by a moving body on impact, which Pemberton refuted as erroneous. Pemberton's treatment of the problem was passed to Newton and this, together with Newton's own refutation of Poleni's thesis, was published in the Philosophical Transactions in 1772. Intercourse between Newton and Pemberton thus became established and Pemberton was invited to superintend the editing of the third edition of the Principia mathematica, which appeared in 1726'.
The work is illustrated with several folding diagrams explaining key scientific principles, including plans on Newton's celestial mechanics showing the orbits of the six known planets around the sun.
First edition; 4to (29 x 23.5 cm); armorial bookplate to front pastedown with shelf mark C number 5, engraved title-vignette, engraved head and tail-pieces and historiated initials by John Pine after J. Grison, 12 engraved folding plates, occasional light soiling and staining, occasional annotations in pen, G4 marginal tears (repaired); fine contemporary mottled calf, spine gilt in compartments, neat repairs to extremities, a handsome copy with illustrious provenance; [50], 407, [1]pp.
ESTC T53471; Babson 98.
Although not as academically gifted as Newton, Sloane impressed members during his time as Society Secretary, where he played a key role in revitalising the publication of the Philosophical Transactions as editor. On his death, Sloane bequeathed his library and collection to the nation, which together with the Harleian and Cotton manuscripts forms the founding collection of the British Museum.
The author, Henry Pemberton (1694-1771), 'came to be on intimate terms with Richard Mead, Newton's physician... At this time an Italian, M. Poleni, produced a paper about the force generated by a moving body on impact, which Pemberton refuted as erroneous. Pemberton's treatment of the problem was passed to Newton and this, together with Newton's own refutation of Poleni's thesis, was published in the Philosophical Transactions in 1772. Intercourse between Newton and Pemberton thus became established and Pemberton was invited to superintend the editing of the third edition of the Principia mathematica, which appeared in 1726'.
The work is illustrated with several folding diagrams explaining key scientific principles, including plans on Newton's celestial mechanics showing the orbits of the six known planets around the sun.
First edition; 4to (29 x 23.5 cm); armorial bookplate to front pastedown with shelf mark C number 5, engraved title-vignette, engraved head and tail-pieces and historiated initials by John Pine after J. Grison, 12 engraved folding plates, occasional light soiling and staining, occasional annotations in pen, G4 marginal tears (repaired); fine contemporary mottled calf, spine gilt in compartments, neat repairs to extremities, a handsome copy with illustrious provenance; [50], 407, [1]pp.
ESTC T53471; Babson 98.
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