Isaac Newton (1642-1727) - photo 1
Isaac Newton (1642-1727) - photo 2

Isaac Newton (1642-1727)

Lot 129
30.07.2020 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 37 500
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 381337
Lot 129 | Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
Estimate value
£ 8 000 – 12 000
NEWTON, Isaac (1642-1727). Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica... editio tertia aucta & emendata. London: William and John Innys 1726.

Deluxe copy of the third and definitive edition, one of 50 copies printed on large paper for presentation by Newton. This edition of the Principia was the last published in the author's lifetime and formed the basis for all subsequent editions. It includes a new preface by Newton mentioning Halley’s comet as well as many alterations and augmentations to the text, ‘the most important being the scholium on fluxions, in which Leibnitz had been mentioned by name’ (Babson). The edition was printed in three issues, the most deluxe (as here) consisted of only 50 copies printed on large, superfine Royal paper with a crown and fleur-de-lys watermark. These copies were earmarked for presentation to friends and colleagues by Newton and indeed many survive in grand bindings with presentation inscriptions. The present copy is a new addition to Macomber’s 1953 census of surviving copies (‘Census of the Owners of Copies of the 1726 Presentation Issue of Newton’s Principia’ in PBSA, 1953, pp.269-300). Babson 13; Wallis 10. See PMM 161 and 1586 (first edition).

Royal quarto (316 x 221). Half-title, title printed in red and black, one text engraving, numerous text illustrations (lacks portrait and royal Privilege leaf and without 2-pp. publishers' catalogue at end as often, first quire tipped in, a2.3 loose, occasional light soiling, dust-soiling at upper edge, repaired neat tear in Ii4). Contemporary calf (some damage on sides, rebacked, front flyleaf repaired); modern cloth box. Provenance: Colonel Edward Malcolm, 16th Laird of Poltalloch (1837-1930; armorial bookplate, library shelflabel).
Auction house category:Books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
09.07.2020 – 30.07.2020
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.