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.
€ 1,750
First Dutch edition, with engravings printed from the plates of the second English edition, of the famous English children's book on natural science: The Newtonian system of philosophy adapted to the capacity of young gentlemen and ladies, first published in 1761 and variously ascribed to John Newbury (1713-1767) or Olivier Goldsmith. The Dutch adaptor has remained anonymous. The book is meant for beginners in natural science and the six lessons are given by a very young and very bright child, Tom Telescope, using objects and situations familiar to children. But all is put on a very scientific base, according to the latest discoveries by Newton. Binding rubbed, top and bottom of spine worn off; small wormholes in lower margins. Internally in good condition. Bibelebontse berg, pp. 187-188; Buijnsters, BNK 575; Cat. Van Rijn 323; cf. David M. Knight, Natural Science Books in English, p. 79 (1761 Engl. ed.).
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