Among the most sumptuous books in science

LA HIRE, Philippe de.

Veterum mathematicorum Athenaei, Apoiiodori, Philonis, Bitonis, Heronis, et aliorum opera, Gracce et Latine pleraquc nunc primum edita.

Paris: Imprimerie Royale, 1693.

1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Item #002383

Folio (432 x 286 mm). [xvi], 365 (i.e. 355), [9] pp. Signatures: a-e4 A-Z4 2A-2Y4 2Z2. Parallel Greek and Latin text in two columns. Engraved title-vignette, engraved dedication, engraved head- and tail-pieces, 171 fine engraved illustrations in text. Fine 20th century full red morocco with 6 raised bands, gilt in compartments, green lettering piece, sides ruled in gilt and with gilt fleurs-de-lis in the corners and inside dentelles, red sprinkled edges, marbled endpapers. Internally little browned (some gatherings stronger), minor spotting in places, many leaves with waterstain at lower gutter, short tear in inner margin of Gg4. Provenance: from the library of comte Arnaud de Vitry, with his fine etched full-page bookplate bound in. A good copy in a magnificient binding. ----

Dibner 84; Norman 2148; Brunet V, 1163; Schweiger I, 358. - FIRST EDITION. Edited by Melchisédec Thévenot (1620?-1692), Philippe de la Hire (1640-1718) and Jean Boivin (1665-1726). This collection of early Greek writings in hydrostatics and mechanics contains the first Greek edition of Hero's Pneumatica and Automata and the first edition of Biton in Greek and Latin. The above is one of a series of publications of the French Academy of Sciences. "Printed at the royal press in small editions they were intended as gifts of the King and Academy... they are among the most sumptuous books in science" (Dibner).

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