1 / 3
Gros & Delettrez
10
-
BERTRAND, Elie.
See original version (French)
10
-
BERTRAND, Elie.
See original version (French)
Estimate €150 - €200
Voluntary lot
Description
BERTRAND, Elie.
Historical and Physical Memoirs on Earthquakes.
The Hague: published by Pierre Gosse, Junior, 1757.
In-16, (3)-II-326-(2) pp. Contemporary mottled fawn sheepskin (binding rubbed, clasps worn, head and foot caps worn away, corners blunt, spine rubbed but interior still fresh).
First edition of this work on earthquakes by the Swiss pastor and naturalist Elie Bertrand (1713–1797), a member of various academies, of the King of Poland’s Privy Council, and a regular correspondent with Voltaire.
A rare treatise combining a chronology of earthquakes in Switzerland since the 6th century with a specific study of the earthquake of 1 November 1755 (linked to the Lisbon earthquake), religious justifications and attempts at scientific explanations, drawn chiefly from analyses based on physics, and a description of the phenomenon of the propagation or simultaneity of earthquakes.
For Bertrand, following in the footsteps of Abbé Nollet, these geological phenomena were caused by the interaction of heat, water and air within the Earth.
Also included, in an eschatological spirit associated with earthquakes:
- *The Journey to Beth-El, with meditations and prayers to prepare for Holy Communion. Together with the Psalms sung on days of Communion*.
The Hague, Henri Scheurleer, 1759.
Small 12mo, (2)-212 pp. Fine, finely speckled havana calfskin of the period, blank spine with raised bands highlighted by gilt fillets, double gilt fillet framing the covers, speckled edges (bindings worn, slightly split at top and bottom, slight peeling of the leather on the front cover).
A rare Protestant work. Printed music.
Ex libris dated 1926: Bouffard, clergyman.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like