Science & Technology / Science

KIRCHER, Athanasius. Ars magna sciendi, in XII libros digesta, qua nova & universali methodo ... [vol. 2 half-title:] Artis magnae seu combinatoriae sciendi, ... [titles on the frontispieces:] Ars magna sciendi sive combinatoria [vol. 1] Artis magnae combinatoriae [vol. 2].
Amsterdam, Johannes Janssonius van Waesberge and the widow of Elizaeus Weyerstraten, 1669. 2 volumes bound as 1. Royal folio (46 x 30 x 5.5 cm). With 2 richly engraved allegorical frontispieces, an engraved plate with a full-page portrait of the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I, an engraved plate showing all knowledge of the universe organised as a tree, 2 engraved volvelles (with 4 rotating dials), 20 further engravings on integral leaves and a couple dozen woodcut figures in the text. Contemporary richly gold-tooled red goatskin morocco decorated a petit fers, gold-tooled turn-ins, board edges and raised bands, giving a total of more than 1500 impressions of about 14 stamps and 3 rolls, edges gilt over red and blue squiggles. Janssonius van Waesberge, who published Kircher's books in Amsterdam from 1664/65 to 1682, arranged to have copies of several luxuriously bound for Kircher to present to leading figures and this is almost certainly one of them, presented to Giovanni Paolo Oliva, Superior General of the Jesuit Society. [18], 482, [10] pp. (including 2 integral frontispieces), plus 4 inserted tables & 2 plates. Full description

LEDERMÜLLER, Martin Frobenius and J.C. HARREPETER (translator). Versuch, beÿ angehender Frühlings-Zeit die Vergrößerungs Werckzeuge zum nützlich u[nd] angenehmen Zeitvertreib anzuwenden. Von dem Verfasser der Mikroskopischen Gemüths u[nd] Augen Ergözung. | Essai d'employer les instruments microscopiques avec utilité et plaisir dans la saison du printems par l'auteur des amusements microscopiques tant des yeux que de l'esprit.
Nuremberg, A.L. Wirsing, 1764. Folio. With an engraved hand-coloured title-page and 12 full-page hand-coloured engraved plates, numbered I-XII (bound VII-XII, I-VI). Contemporary blue-ish grey paper boards, with a large white paper title-label on the front board with in manuscript "Amusements Microscopiques par Harrepeter. 1764" and with the manuscript title ("Mikroscope") on the spine. 48 pp. Full description

LICHTENBERG, Georg Christoph and Georg FORSTER. Göttingisches Magazin der Wissenschaften und Litteratur.
Göttingen, Johann Christian Dieterich, 1780. 6 parts in 3 volumes. 8vo. With an engraved portrait of James Cook as frontispiece of part 2, 5 engraved plates (including one coloured by hand), 4 folding engraved plates (including one printed on blue paper and with highlights in silver) and one folding plate with letterpress music. Modern paste-paper boards. [8], 168; [1], [1 blank], 169-334; Full description

[METEOROLOGY - HAIL STONE]. Abbildung der Größe, u. ganz besondern Farbe der 6 Zoll langen, u. 3 Zoll diken Schlossen, von 2. bis 3. ll. schwer welche d. 13. August. 1802. . ..
Nuremberg, Fr[au] Kraerin, Fr[au]. Daucherin, [1802]. 4to (20.5×17.5 cm). Engraved print on laid paper, coloured by a contemporary hand as published. Mounted on a piece of paper (ca. 1926?). [1] leaf. Full description

NEWBURY, John. Philosophie der tollen en ballen; of het Newtoniaansche zamenstel van wysbegeerte, geschikt naar de vatbaarheid der eerste Jeugd, en gemeenzaam en vermaaklyk gemaakt door voorwerpen, welke aan haar zeer bekend zyn: bestaande in ses lessen, geleezen voor de Lilliputiaansche Maatschappie, door Tom Telescope.
Middelburg, Christiaan Bohemer, 1768. 8vo. With engraved frontispiece showing a little boy, Tom Telescope, standing on a table and explaining matter and motion to a group of other small children with some adults present too, a woodcut showing a pair of telescopes, and 8 fine engraved plates showing the solar system, an air-pump and air-gun, globes and armillary spheres, Vesuvius, etc. Contemporary half calf. [12], 134, [1], [1 blank] pp. Full description

NIEUWENTYT, Bernard. Het regt gebruik der werelt beschouwingen, ter overtuiginge van ongodisten en ongelovigen aangetoont.
Amsterdam, Joannes Pauli, 1740. Large 4to. With title printed in red and black, engraved frontispiece, portrait of the author, and 28 engraved folding plates. Contemporary mottled calf, gold-tooled spine. [8], 916, [18] pp. Full description

SAGE, Balthazar-Georges. Élémens de minéralogie docimastique ... Seconde édition. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1777. With an engraved frontispiece portrait of B.G. Sage by J. Beauvarlet after F.G. Colson and 2 tables (1 folding).
With: (2) SAGE, Balthazar-Georges. Mémoires de chimie. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1778. With 1 folding table. 2 works in 3 volumes (ad. 1 in 2). 8vo. Contemporary mottled calf, gold-tooled spines with red and black labels, marbled edges, marbled endpapers. XLVII, [1], 339; [2], 400, XLVI, [2]; VII, 262, XXXVIII pp. Full description

SOTHEBY'S. The library of the Earls of Macclesfield removed from Shirburn Castle. Part two: Science A-C; part four: Science D-H; part five: Science I-O; Part six: Science P-Z plus addenda.
With: The library of the Earls of Macclesfield ... Part one: Natural history.
London, Sothebys, 2004-2005. 5 volumes. 4to (27.5 21.5 cm). Original decorated blue cloth. Full description

SUAREZ DE FIGUEROA, Christobal (Thomaso GARZONI). Plaza universal de todas ciencias, y artes, parte traduzida de Toscano, y parte compuesta por el doctor Christoval Suearez de Figueroa.
Perpignan, Luis Roure, 1630 (colophon: 1629). 4to. With title printed in woodcut border with large woodcut coat of arms; interesting woodcut initials and head- and tailpieces. Contemporary mottled calf. [8], 379, [1 blank] ll. Full description

THEODOSIUS. Sphaericorum libri tres, nunquam antehac graece excusi.
Paris, André Wechel, 1558. Small 4to (21 x 14 cm). With woodcut publisher's Pegasus device on title-page (repeated on last page), numerous woodcut mathematical diagrams in text, woodcut headpieces and decorated initials. 18th-century tanned sheepskin, gold-tooled spine and board edges. [8], 54, [2], 70, [2] pp. Full description