Translated into English by Andrew Motte. To which are added, the laws of the Moon's motion, according to gravity.
London, printed for Benjamin Motte, 1729
First edition of Newton's Principia in English. The first edition in English of Isaac Newton's most important contribution to the advancement of human knowledge, and the development of modern scientific theory. Perhaps 'the greatest intellectual stride that it has ever been granted to any man to make' (Einstein).
'The Principia is generally described as the greatest work in the history of science. Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler had certainly shown the way; but where they described the phenomena they observed, Newton explained the underlying laws' (PMM). The first edition was published in Latin in 1687, followed by a second in 1713. This edition is translated by Andrew Motte, the brother of the publisher, who also provided the engravings for the frontispieces and headpieces. John Machin's unsuccessful attempt to correct Newton's lunar theory is included at the end.
First edition in English; 2 vols; 8vo (19 x 12 cm); engraved frontispieces by A. Motte (bound opposite page 148 in vol. 2), section-title to Machin's Laws of Motion, 47 folding engraved plates, 2 folding letterpress tables, 3 engraved headpieces by Motte, numerous woodcut initials, head and tailpieces, wormhole in gutter of first few leaves of vol. 1, light staining to preface, vol. 2 plate XI slightly shaved at head; contemporary calf trade binding, spine gilt in 6 compartments, vol. numbers in gilt, contrasting red morocco lettering-pieces to spine, one renewed, edges sprinkled red, joints expertly restored, internally crisp and clean, a very good copy.
Wallis 23.
'The Principia is generally described as the greatest work in the history of science. Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler had certainly shown the way; but where they described the phenomena they observed, Newton explained the underlying laws' (PMM). The first edition was published in Latin in 1687, followed by a second in 1713. This edition is translated by Andrew Motte, the brother of the publisher, who also provided the engravings for the frontispieces and headpieces. John Machin's unsuccessful attempt to correct Newton's lunar theory is included at the end.
First edition in English; 2 vols; 8vo (19 x 12 cm); engraved frontispieces by A. Motte (bound opposite page 148 in vol. 2), section-title to Machin's Laws of Motion, 47 folding engraved plates, 2 folding letterpress tables, 3 engraved headpieces by Motte, numerous woodcut initials, head and tailpieces, wormhole in gutter of first few leaves of vol. 1, light staining to preface, vol. 2 plate XI slightly shaved at head; contemporary calf trade binding, spine gilt in 6 compartments, vol. numbers in gilt, contrasting red morocco lettering-pieces to spine, one renewed, edges sprinkled red, joints expertly restored, internally crisp and clean, a very good copy.
Wallis 23.
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