Isaac Newton: The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy (Principia Mathematica), printed for H.D. Symonds in 1803, with numerous folding plates. 2 volumes (of 3), lacking volume 1.
FIRST COMPLETE EDITION OF ISAAC NEWTON'S MASTERPIECE IN ENGLISH.
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3 volume set sold at Bonhams lot 462 8th March 2016 for £2,750 - (£3,520 inflation adjusted for 2023).
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Containing:
- Of the Motion of Bodies part 2 (sections 1 to 9, complete)
- Rules of Reasoning in Philosophy
- The System of the World
(including circular motion, astrophysics to include Newton's laws of gravitation, pendulum equation derivations, projectile motion, fluid dynamics, etc)
- The Laws of the Moon's Motion
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Volume one which this set lacks would contain the relationship between centripetal force and the law of areas (now known as Kepler's 2nd law), relationships between centripetal force varying as the inverse square of the distance to the centre of circles, properties of motion of ellipses, ovals, etc, the three body problem, and the Shell theorem.
Volume two contains part 2 of 'Of the Motion of Bodies' which largely concerns motion through resisting mediums. Newton discusses the consequences of laws established in the first part particularly the proportionality of (air, or other fluid) resistance with the square of velocity, Newton's ideas on hydrostatics and of compressible fluids. He also derives Boyle's law in this volume, the effect of air resistance on pendulums with an accountant of experiments that he carried out to derive these ideas. It also contains a determination of the rules for wave speed in fluids and relates these to density and condensation, an incredibly important area for the field of acoustics. He makes the assumption that these rules also apply to light and sound and estimates the speed of sound in air as 1088 feet per second which is roughly 331 m/s, and thus very accurate to its generally accepted value. Most of the contents of book 2 part 2 (in volume two) was written to refute Descartes' theory that planetary motion was produced by the movement of fluid vortices that filled interplanetary space and carried the planets along with them.
Volume three, containing 'On the System of the World' is mostly an exposition of the consequences of universal gravitation. He expands upon his ideas of the motion of comets, moons, etc with data from John Flamsteed and Edmond Halley. He used his notion of gravitation to explain the existence of tides and attempts quantitative estimates for the contributions of the sun and moon to tidal motions and offers the first theory of the precession of the equinoxes. He also considers the harmonic oscillator in three dimensions and motion in arbitrary force laws. Newton also reinforces his heliocentric view of the Solar System. He also estimated the mass ratios of the sun to Jupiter, and the Sun to Saturn.
Also included is of course his rules of reasoning in philosophy which were, in some large manner, influential on the development of the scientific method following Francis Bacon and Galileo.
Size: 14 x 21 cm (approx.)
Condition:
Spines heavily rubbed as are the boards with wear to extremities. Tailpiece to third volume detached. Boards are all attached, but with fragile cracked joints to third volume. Second volume with a much more secure binding with joints secure. Page edges are very good with some discolouration to top edge. Text blocks are exceptionally clean throughout. Some of the foldout plates are toned with light spots of foxing but generally remain very good. We couldn't find a reputable source to collate the completeness of these books properly, however there are no missing leaves throughout the text block of each volume and there are quite a lot of foldout plates throughout (total of 32 in the two volumes) There are points throughout each volume where plates could be lacking but it can't be said absolutely if they should be called for in each location.
21 foldout plates in volume two.
11 foldout plates in volume three.
