[Rarebooks] FS: 1733 Aurora Borealis Study, Many Engraved Plates

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

TITLE: "Traite Physique et Historique de l'Aurore Bore'ale"

By Jean Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan.
Published in Paris; l'Imprimerie Royale: 1733.

DISCUSSION: The first edition of a classic and beautiful work on the
Aurora Borealis.

Mairan (1678-1771) believed the phenomena to be attributable to "zodiacal
light" and an extension of the Sun's atmosphere into our own. The plates,
which were engraved by Philippe Simonneau, illustrate declinations as well
as a number of views of the lights, with views of the lights at Giessen on
the 17th of February, 1721, and Brevillepont on the 26th of September,
1726, the 19th of October, 1726 and the 6th of September, 1731.

This was the first major study of the Aurora. The problem of illustrating
light with the engraver's tool is a daunting one, but Simonneau has
created a series of evocative, vivid impressions.

Mairan was an interesting man, a member of the Academie Royale des
Sciences, and a fellow of the Royal Society in London, with a wide circle
of correspondence. He wrote a popular treatise on the formation of ice,
and became interested in ancient China and Egypt, theorizing that the
ancient Egyptians had established a colony in China.

DESCRIPTION: Hardcover. 8"x10", [8] 281, [i] pages, 15 engraved folding
plates; bound in full period polished calf with gilt spine decorations,
marbled endpapers.

CONDITION NOTES: Nice wide margins. With a handsome engraved armorial
bookplate (unidentified) and a small, modern label. Some separation along
the front hinge, but the cords are tight.

PRICE: $600.00 net.

SOME PICTURES =>

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on the decorative and fine arts & design

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