(Newtoniana) — Martin, Benjamin | A Course of Lectures in Natural and Experimental Philosophy ..., Reading, 1743, first edition

(Newtoniana) — Benjamin Martin

A Course of Lectures in Natural and Experimental Philosophy, Geography and Astronomy ... exhibited and explain'd on the Principles of the Newtonian Philosophy. Reading: J. Newberry et al, 1743

First edition of these scientific lectures based on Newtonian philosophy.

Martin, a well-known scientific lecturer, sought to publish this work so that his students could have references to study later on. But, notably, he outlines in his preface another motivation: "it was not the least Part of my Design, to render this Course of Lectures plain and easy to be understood by all Capacities in general, and in particular by the Fair Sex. For why should not the Ladies understand and study the Sciences of Humanity, of which Philosophy holds the First Place?" (p. iv).

Large 4to (268 x 212 mm). Ten folding copperplate engravings; title a little soiled, some spotting and browning, two long closed tears to plates. Later three-quarter pebble-grained cloth and textured paper-covered boards, coated endpapers; rubbed with some minor lots, a little shaken.

REFERENCES

ESTC T10165

PROVENANCE

Mr. Jarvis (contemporary signature to title) — Robert S. Dunham (acquired from Zeitlin & Ver Brugge in November 1963; Sotheby's New York, 11 December 1993, lot 738, [part])