Better Than Clairaut’s Method
Recherches sur Differens Points importans du Systême du Monde.
Six folding engraved plates. lxviii, 260 pp.; vi, 290 pp.; xlviii, 263 pp. Three vols. 4to, cont. mottled calf (lower cover of Vol. II a little wormed), spines gilt, red morocco lettering pieces on spines. Paris: David, 1754-54-56.
First edition. “Devoted primarily to the motion of the moon (Volume II included a new set of lunar tables), it was written at least partially to guard d’Alembert's claims to originality against those of Clairaut. As was so often the case, d’Alembert's method was mathematically more sound, but Clairaut’s method was more easily used by astronomers.”–D.S.B., I, p. 114.
Clairaut’s anonymous and unfavorable review of the third volume, published in the Journal des Sçavans, caused a bitter, famous, and extended controversy which continued until Clairaut’s death in 1765.
Fine set. From the library of Marchese Giulio Stanga Carlo Trecco (d. 1832), amateur mathematician and physicist who formed a large collection of scientific instruments, with his shelfmark label at head of spine.
❧ Lalande, p. 453–“On trouve dans le premier volume des recherches savantes sur le probléme des trois corps.”.
Price: $9,500.00
Item ID: 6381
