Cogitata physico mathematica; Universae geometriae, mixtaeque mathematicae synopsis; and Novarum observationum physico-mathematicarum - photo 1
Cogitata physico mathematica; Universae geometriae, mixtaeque mathematicae synopsis; and Novarum observationum physico-mathematicarum - photo 2
Cogitata physico mathematica; Universae geometriae, mixtaeque mathematicae synopsis; and Novarum observationum physico-mathematicarum - photo 3

Cogitata physico mathematica; Universae geometriae, mixtaeque mathematicae synopsis; and Novarum observationum physico-mathematicarum

Lot 91
19.10.2023 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 7 560
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1032743
Lot 91 | Cogitata physico mathematica; Universae geometriae, mixtaeque mathematicae synopsis; and Novarum observationum physico-mathematicarum
Estimate value
$ 12 000 – 15 000
MERSENNE, Marin (1588-1648). Cogitata physico mathematica. In quibus tam naturae quam artis effectus admirandi certissimis demonstrationibus explicantur. Paris: Antoine Bertier, 1644 [With:] Universae geometriae, mixtaeque mathematicae synopsis, et bini refractionum demonstratarum tractatus. Paris, Antoine Bertier, 1644 [And:] Novarum observationum physico-mathematicarum. Quibus accessit Aristarchus Samius de mundi systemate. Paris, Antoine Bertier, 1647.

First edition, very rare complete with the third volume, of "the culmination of Mersenne's 25 year-long investigation into a wide range of topics in Mixed Mathematics; that is, the application of arithmetic and geometry to physics, mechanics, astronomy, music, optics and conic sections" (DiLaura). The second volume contains the first printing of Hobbes's Tractatus Opticus; Hobbes was in Paris at the time and part of Mersenne's circle. This is the second issue, with the privilege dated 15 September, 1644 and three leaves of corrigenda correcting errors in the first and second volumes. The preface to the first volume contains the first appearance of Mersenne numbers. The second volume comprises synopses of ancient and modern mathematical texts, some repeated from the 1626 Synopsis mathematica. It was at Descartes’ request that Mersenne enlarged and expanded the Synopsis, the last part of which comprises the first edition of Thomas Hobbes’s Tractatus Opticus (pp 567-589).

The third volume, which is the rarest of the three, begins with an examination of the heliocentric theory of Aristarchus. This is followed by an examination of the physics of Galileo and a series of Galilean experiments on gravity, acceleration, percussion, and hydraulics, along with the Torricellian experiments with the mercury barometer. The corrigenda in this issue correct hundreds of errors, many of which would have negatively affected the reception of Mersenne’s complex treatises if left unamended. They modify and add to the various monita and errata found throughout the first and second volumes, suggesting that they were printed after these volumes were finished, perhaps in 1647 with the text of the third volume. DiLaura 87 (April issue); Carli and Favaro 200, 201, and 216; Hirsch I 406, 407, 408; Lenoble 20, 21, 22; Macdonald and Hargreaves, Hobbes 37.

Three volumes bound together, quarto (234 x 179mm). Section titles. One engraving in the text and numerous woodcut diagrams, illustrations, and music (first title dustsoiled and with two old library stamps, small marginal chip to dedication leaf, vol 3 title with long repaired tear and repaired top margin, few other repaired margins in vol 3 preface). Modern stiff vellum, edges stained blue. Provenance: contemporary manuscript errata corrections in text – Stadtbibliothek Koenigsberg (old stamp on first title) – Bibliotheca Seminarii Plocensis (old stamp on first title and a few interior pages) – H. Gilhofer (his sale, Zisska and Kistner, 24-5 October 1988, lot 496).
Artist:Marin Mersenne (1588 - 1648)
Place of origin:France
Auction house category:Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
14.10.2023 10:00 – 17:00
15.10.2023 13:00 – 17:00
16.10.2023 10:00 – 17:00
17.10.2023 10:00 – 17:00
18.10.2023 10:00 – 17:00
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

More from Creator

La perspective curieuse and L’optique et la catoptrique
La perspective curieuse and L’optique et la catoptrique
$100

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.