Dissertation Fourth: Exhibiting a General View of the Progress of Mathematical and Physical Science since the Revival of Letters in Europe (Second Part of Second Dissertation)

1820. First US publication, extracted from a supplement to the Encyclopaedia Britannica. [i], 2, 133pp. John Playfair (1748-1819) was a Church of Scotland minister, remembered as a scientist and mathematician, and a professor of natural philosophy at the University of Edinburgh. He is best known for his book Illustrations of the Huttonian Theory of the Earth (1802), which summarised the work of James Hutton. His Dissertation on the Progress of Mathematical and Physical Science since the Revival of Learning in Europe" appeared as second "dissertation" v.2, pt. 1, of the Supplement to the fourth, fifth, and sixth editions of the Encyclopaedia britannica. In v.1 (1835) of the seventh edition of the Encyclopaedia, it became the third dissertation. For sale is the fourth dissertation, or part two if the second dissertation, and takes the from the end of the 17th century to the commencement of Newton's discoveries. The book is bound in the original paper covered thin card boards with black titling on the spine and front board and a publisher's advertisement on the rear board. The case of the book is in fair to good condition with shelf wear, soiling and staining on the boards. Large parts of the paper covering the bottom third of the front board are missing and there is also noticeable water staining on the bottom half of the front board. Pieces of the paper covering the spine are missing, including about 1" from the top of the spine. The paper on the front spine edge if split and there is partial splitting down the rear spine edge. A repair to the bottom 5" of the front board has been carried out whereby the original card has been replaced with the paper bearing the titling overlaid. The contents are tight. Most of the pages display age-browning with damp staining and some foxing. Mome-made repairs have been carried out down the spine gutter between the front and rear endpapers and the front free endpaper and page [i]. The bottom edge of the first dozen or so pages show damage from burning which has caused brown staining and some loss. The loss is greatest on the front free endpaper and following four pages, although the text is not affected. There is no inscription. There are probably a few other minor faults that have been missed.…