Newton, Isaac, Sir | Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica, London, 1726, third edition, the definitive text as revised by the author

Newton, Isaac, Sir

Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica. London: William and John Innys, 1726

The third and final edition of Newton's Principia published in his lifetime, and the definitive text as revised by the author, one of 1,250 copies.

Edited by Henry Pemberton, who would become Gresham Professor of Physic in 1728, this edition incorporates Newton's last refinements and corrections, responding to criticism and clarifying key points of theory developed since the first edition of 1687. It remains the basis for all later editions.

First published in 1687, Principia is among the most consequential works in the history of science, setting forth the laws of motion and universal gravitation in a unified mathematical framework that transformed the understanding of both terrestrial and celestial mechanics. It provided not only a foundation for classical mechanics but a model for scientific reasoning that influenced philosophy, physics, and engineering for centuries.

4to (241 x 197 mm). Royal privilege leaf, half-title, engraved frontispiece portrait by G. Vertue after I. Vanderbank, title-page printed in red and black, numerous textual diagrams including an engraved plate of cometary orbit on p. 506, publisher's advertisement leaf at end; occasional light marginal stains and other minor defects, some minor fore-edge worming at the end. Modern maroon half morocco, red speckled edges; top edge dust-soiled

REFERENCES

Babson/Macomber 13; ESTC T98375; Gray 9; Honeyman sale 6:2304 (q.v.); Wallis 9

PROVENANCE

Bruton School (bookplate) — bookseller's ticket of George's, Park Street, Bristol — Robert S. Dunham (acquired from Zeitlin & Ver Brugge, Los Angeles in January 1959, pencil acquisition note on front pastedown; Sotheby's New York, 11 December 1993, lot 731)