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1578 - Physics – Optics
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Estimate €400 - €600
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Description
Physics – Optics Priestley, Joseph The History and Present State of Optics, with Particular Reference to the Physical Aspects of this Science. Translated from the English and accompanied by notes and additions by Georg Simon Klügel. 2 parts (in 1 volume). With 16 folded copperplate plates. Leipzig, Junius, 1775. XIII pages, 568 pages, 4 leaves. 4°. Contemporary paper binding (scraped and bumped, somewhat stained). First German edition. – Wallis 225.632 – Poggendorff II, 529 – Hirschberg 88, 149, 6. – Cf. Becker’s collection 308. - An authoritative standard work of the 18th century and ‘the first work of this kind and therefore very important, despite numerous inaccuracies and errors, most of which have been corrected by the German translator’ (Hirschberg). Joseph Priestley (1733–1804) – discoverer of oxygen – was a tireless writer and author of numerous important foundational works on the history of the natural sciences. His sympathies with the ideas of the French Revolution and his support for the American colonists against the King made him unpopular in many circles, and he was later forced to emigrate to America. This work deals with optical discoveries from Descartes to Newton, with a particular focus on Newtonian optics. With regard to ophthalmology, this work offers a wealth of important information. – Endpapers slightly mottled with brown spots, small signature on the inside cover; overall a good copy with wide margins. A seminal standard work of the 18th century and “the first work of its kind and therefore very important, despite numerous inaccuracies and errors, most of which have been corrected by the German translator” (Hirschberg). Joseph Priestley (1733–1804)—discoverer of oxygen—was a tireless writer and author of numerous important foundational works on the history of the natural sciences. His sympathy for the ideas of the French Revolution and his support for the American colonists against the king made him unpopular in many circles, and he was later forced to emigrate to America. This work covers optical discoveries from Descartes to Newton, with a particular focus on Newtonian optics. With regard to ophthalmology, this work offers a wealth of important information. – Endpapers slightly mottled with brown spots; small signature on the inside cover; overall, a good copy with wide margins. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
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Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
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