Description: [SCIENCE, PHYSICS, MAGIC LANTERNS, ISAAC NEWTON, UB IWERKS] GRAVESANDE, Willem Jacob (Author) "PHYSICES ELEMENTA, MATHEMATICA..." (Physical and mathematical elements, confirmed by experiments) Leyden (Lugduni Batavorum). Pieter Van der Aa. 1720 & 1721. Two volumes Quarto. (8.25 x 10.75 in) RARE FIRST ISSUE SET. Bound in original boards, bordered with vellum edges. Titles in red & black. Illustrated with 59 engraved plates. Volume I with 34 total folding plates; (plate vi duplicated), Volume II with 25 folding plates. One plate with central loss (volume II; plate II)+ engraved title pieces. Minor marginal tide lines in varied places across the set. (see images) A few instances of improper page openings at upper margin. Overall, very good or better. A RARE example of the FIRST EDITION of an important compendium of all the physical laws known at the time, which became most influential for the teaching of physics during the earlier part of the 18th century. Basically an exposition of the Principia of Isaac Newton it comprises all of the Newtonian discoveries and experiments as understood by that time. In the section on optical phenomena, refraction and the colors of the spectrum as found by Newton are extensively reviewed; there is also a description of the camera obscura (referred to as a 'magic lantern' ('De Lucerna Magica') p. 72. Among the instructive diagrams and engravings is the FIRST KNOWN ENGRAVED DIAGRAM OF A MAGIC LANTERN ON DISPLAY (plate xiv). This set in the first edition is rare. Most appearances of Gravesande in commerce are the 1746 and later editions. When 1720/21 copies surface they are usually bound as a single volume and generally lacking all 58 folding plates. This entirely original set in an unsophisticated if not primitive, printers binding might be unique in commerce. No other examples of the 1720 / 21 set are currently on offer. The most comparable set we traced in the auction record was in a 1971 Goldschmidt catalog (146-72) and brought $420 USD. An important collecting opportunity spanning several collecting fields including physics, mathematics, photography and descriptive scientific illustration. Provenance: This item is from the library of legendary Walt Disney animator, inventor, and special effects technician Ub Iwerks. Ub was Walt Disney's first business partner and chief animator. Iwerks collection features many early and important photography books dealing with all aspects of photography, imaging, special effects and photo history. Iwerk's son David also carried on his interest in photography and because of his interest in photography Ub's collection remained in the family from Ub's death in 1971 until recently. We can provide an COA confirming the Iwerks provenance to interested buyers upon request. Please view our other items and search the keyword 'Iwerks'. Please email any questions -
Price: 2599.99 USD
Location: Beverly Hills, California
End Time: 2024-12-24T06:26:07.000Z
Shipping Cost: 19.3 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Author: Gravesande
Subject: Science & Medicine
Original/Facsimile: Original
