PBA Galleries

3 volumes. lxviii, 260; [2], 290, [4]; xlviii, 263 pp. With 6 folding engraved diagram plates. (4to) 21.4x15.5 cm (8½x6¼"), period mottled calf, spines tooled in gilt, raised bands, morocco lettering pieces, marbled endpapers and edges. First Edition.

First edition of this important contribution to the study of lunar motion. "Devoted primarily to the motion of the moon (volume III included a new set of lunar tables), it was written at least partially to guard d'Alembert's claim to originality against those of Clairaut. As was often the case, Alembert's method was mathematically more sound" (DSB). When Alexis Clairaut published an anonymous criticism of the third volume, it led to a bitter controversy between the two which continued until Clairaut's death in 1765. In this copy, the table of contents pages for Vol. 2 are misbound at the end of the book. With old circular inkstamps to title pages; bookplates on blank versos of front endpapers, "Ex Dono, R.O. Philillo Scio a S. Michaele, asturum principis praeceptoris.

With old circular inkstamps to title pages; bookplates on blank versos of front endpapers, "Ex Dono, R.O. Philippo Scio a S. Michaele, asturum principis praeceptoris."