The Principles of Astronomy and Navigation: Or, A Clear, Short, yet Full Explanation, of all Circles of the Celestial, and Terrestrial Globes, and of their Uses, being the whole Doctrine of the Sphere, and Hypotheses to the Phenomena of the Primum Mobile. To which is Added A Discovery of the Secrets of Nature, which are found in the Mercurial-Weather-Glass, &c. As also A New Proposal for Buoying up a Ship of any Burden from the Bottom of the Sea.

SINCLAIR, George.

Published by Edinburgh: by the Heir of Andrew Anderson, 1688

About this Item

First edition, comprising three separately paginated texts, each with their own title page or drop-head title, but with a continuous register. The second work is titled "Proteus Bound with Chains", the third simply headed "Postscript. To Buoy up a ship, of any Burden, from the Ground of the Sea". The natural philosopher George Sinclair (d. 1696?) "described himself as from the Lothians and possessed property in Haddington, Haddingtonshire. He and his brother John were probably educated at the University of St Andrews. George Sinclair taught at St Andrews before moving to Glasgow in 1655, where he was admitted master and appointed professor of philosophy. In 1656 he gave 100 marks towards the building of Glasgow College, and lent a larger sum which was repaid with interest in 1659. During this time the marquess of Argyll obtained rights to the wreck of the Spanish vessel Florida, which had foundered in Tobermory Bay after the defeat of the Armada. Sinclair, 'almost the only cultivator of physics during this age' as Stevenson generously described him (Stevenson, xi), assisted when a diving bell was brought to the site, possibly by Archibald Millar of Greenock. Several pieces of ordnance were recovered before stormy weather ended the exercise. Sinclair subsequently devised his own diving bell and described its use in a stylized classical debate in his Ars nova et magna gravitatis et levitatis (1669, pp. 220-44)" (ODNB). Sinclair published several works on mathematics and practical physics, much of it based upon his own experience as a surveyor and engineer. Wing S 3857. Octavo (147 x 90 mm). Woodcut initials. Contemporary limp vellum, with two (of four) deerskin ties. Housed in a brown cloth flat-back box by the Chelsea Bindery. Contemporary ownership inscription and pen trials of James Stewart to front and rear endleaves with some sketches of a face, early purchase note to front free endpaper stub. Lower outer corner of front board worn away, two ties missing. Some general wear to covers, title page with 2 mm of lower margin cut away, lower corner a little dog eared, pale damp mark to the last few leaves; withal a very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 109217

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Principles of Astronomy and Navigation: Or, A Clear, Short, yet Full Explanation, of all Circles of the Celestial, and Terrestrial Globes, and of their Uses, being the whole Doctrine of the Sphere, and Hypotheses to the Phenomena of the Primum Mobile. To which is Added A Discovery of the Secrets of Nature, which are found in the Mercurial-Weather-Glass, &c. As also A New Proposal for Buoying up a Ship of any Burden from the Bottom of the Sea.
• Publisher: Edinburgh: by the Heir of Andrew Anderson, 1688
• Edition: 1st Edition