Elemens de la philosophie de Neuton. Amsterdam, E.Ledet 1738. Mit gest. Front., 2 Portr., gest. Titelvign., 49 gest. Textvign., 6 Kupfertaf., 58 Textkupfern u. 1 gest. Falttab. 1 Bl., 410 S., 1 Bl., XII S., 1 Bl. Spät. Maroquin im Stil d. Zt. mit reicher Rverg., dreifachen goldgepr. Deckelfileten, Eckfleurons, Steh- u. Innenkantverg. u. Goldschnitt. (Rckn. etw. gebleicht, leicht bestoßen u. berieben).

Babson 120. Norman Library 2165. Wallis 155.1. HBS 42997. BN 3744. Bengesco 1570.1. Cohen-R- 1037-38. PMM 161 Anm. - Erste Ausgabe. Berühmte Verbindung der Buchkunst des französ. Rokoko mit aufgeklärter Naturwissenschaft. "One of his (Newton's) greatest champions in France was Voltaire, whose 'Elemens de la philosophie de Neuton' was widely read' (PMM). - First edition, second issue, of Voltaire's treatise on Newton's Principia. Title printed in red and black with engraved vignette by C.L. Duflos after G.F.L. Debrie, engraved portrait of Newton by Folkema, seven engraved plates of diagrams (one folding), fifty-eight engraved text illustrations, and twenty-seven engraved head-piece vignettes and twenty-two engraved tail-piece vignettes by L.F. Dubourg, J. Folkema, J. v. Schley, F.M. La Cave, B. Picart, and G. Kondet. - "From 1725 to 1728, Voltaire lived in exile in England and became a fervent admirer of the Newtonian philosophy which he introduced into France. He may have met Newton. We know that he attended his funeral and knew his niece, Clara Barton Conduitt. In 1736, while a refugee in Holland, he sent the first chapters of his "Elemens' to the Amsterdam publisher, Ledet, but departed without supplying the rest of the manuscript. Finally 25 chapters were printed, with the additional phrase on the title, "Mis a la portee [porte] de tout le monde.' The text is preceded by a poem and dedication to Voltaire's mistress, the brilliant Marquise du Chatelet, who collaboratred with him in his study of Newton" (Babson). The first edition of the Elemens appeared in two versions, one with the imprint of Etienne Ledet and the other with the imprint of Jacques Desbordes. There are several variations between the two versions: the title vignette motto of the Desbordes imprint reads "Serere ne dubites" instead of "L'Esperamce me guide." Both versions contain only twenty-five chapters, as Voltaire did not supply either publisher with a complete manuscript. A twenty-sixth chapter on fluxions was added to the "nouvelle edition" published in Paris the same year (here bount at the end of the book). - Vorlieg. Ex. Unikat mit dem angebundenen Kapitel XVI ab. S. 399. Unique copy with the additional chapter XVI bound after p. 399. - Tls. leicht stockfleckig. Vors. erneuert. Blattränder minimal angefranst.

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