BERNOULLI, Jacob (1654-1705).  - photo 1
BERNOULLI, Jacob (1654-1705).  - photo 2
BERNOULLI, Jacob (1654-1705).  - photo 3

BERNOULLI, Jacob (1654-1705). 

Lot 131
13.07.2022 10:30UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 16 380
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 794545
Lot 131 | BERNOULLI, Jacob (1654-1705). 
Estimate value
£ 12 000 – 18 000
BERNOULLI, Jacob (1654-1705). 

Ars conjectandi. Edited by Nicolaus Bernoulli (1687-1759). Basel: Thurneisen brothers, 1713.

First edition of the ‘first significant book on probability theory’ (Norman). Ars conjectandi deals with the theory of combinations, gives concrete examples on the expectation of profit in games, and considers probability from a philosophical perspective. The appendix, written in French, explains the various strategies of real tennis, jeu de paume, and the probabilities of winning in different situations. Bernoulli discusses players of uneven strength, games of two versus one, and other permutations of the game. Bernoulli’s important work ‘set forth the fundamental principles of the calculus of probabilities and contained the first suggestion that the theory could extend beyond the boundaries of mathematics to apply to civic, moral and economic affairs’ (ibid). This copy has distinguished 18th-century Irish provenance, having belonged to the mathematician Matthew Young and scientist Richard Kirwan. Dibner 110; Grolier/Horblit 12; Norman 216; PMM 179.



Quarto (202 x 159mm). With the errata and blank leaf, 2 folding printed tables, one folding woodcut plate (faint soiling on title). Contemporary vellum over stiff boards, traces of manuscript title to spine. Provenance: ?Johann Crispin (erased inscription on title) – Matthew Young (1750-1800, eminent Irish mathematician and Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin 1786-1799; inscription on title) – Richard Kirwan (1733-1812, Irish scientist and President of the Royal Irish Academy 1799-1812; inscription on title dated 1777) – later pencil annotation on p.96.





Special notice


No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
Place of origin:Western Europe, Europe, Switzerland
Auction house category:Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
13.07.2022 – 13.07.2022
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.
?>