Francisco Maria Grimaldi (1618-1663).  - photo 1
Francisco Maria Grimaldi (1618-1663).  - photo 2

Francisco Maria Grimaldi (1618-1663). 

Lot 37
28.04.2021 11:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Starting price
£ 10 000
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
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ID 519327
Lot 37 | Francisco Maria Grimaldi (1618-1663). 
Estimate value
£ 10 000 – 15 000
Francisco Maria Grimaldi (1618-1663). 
Physico-mathesis de lumine, coloribus, et iride. Bologna: heirs of Victorio Benacci for Girolamo Bernia, 1665.
First edition of Grimaldi’s only publication, the celebrated discovery of optical diffraction. In this important work, which would be quoted by Isaac Newton in his Opticks, Grimaldi describes his discovery of the inflection of the solar rays near certain bodies. He was the first to declare that the diffusion of light was instantaneous. The diffraction experiments which Grimaldi describes show ‘that a new mode of transmission of light had been discovered and that this mode contradicts the notion of an exclusively rectilinear passage of light. Diffraction thus gave prima facie evidence for a fluid nature of light. The name “diffraction” comes from the loss of uniformity observed in the flow of a stream of water as it “splits apart” around a slender obstacle placed in its path.’ (DSB). Honeyman 1559; Riccardi I, 631.

Quarto (250 x 182mm). Title with large engraved vignette, additional letterpress title printed in red and black, woodcut illustrations and diagrams (quire a with slight soiling at top margin and a few small stains, a few leaves lightly spotted or browned, final six quires with light marginal waterstaining). 18th-century vellum, manuscript title on spine (lightly marked). 
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
14.04.2021 – 28.04.2021
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
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