Rare and Important: A Letter of Mr. Isaac Newton.Containing his new Theory about Light and Colors.

Isaac Newton

Published by Philosophic Transactions of the Royal Society, London, 1672

About this Item

Very rare and important extract from the 1671/72 " Philosophic Transactions" of the Royal Society: Isaac Newton's first scientific publication containing his oft-cited demonstration using prisms to show that white light is a mixture of many colors. This famous publication is often referred to as the first modern "scientific paper," and the template for all that have followed since. Newton's much later milestone book on light, the "Opticks" of 1704, sprung from such early researches conducted soon after the completion of his student tenure at Cambridge in 1664/65. The publication offered, here, was the scientific world's first introduction to the then unknown genius residing at Cambridge University. Soon to follow this milestone paper concerning " a new theory about light and color" was his equally famous paper in the "Philosophic Transactions" on his invention of the reflecting telescope. These two publications made Newton famous in scientific circles virtually overnight, and the rest is history. 4to, pp.14 (comprising pp.3075-3087 of the issue) with two woodcut illustrations; extracted from Vol. VI of the "Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society" for 1671/72. Neatly stitched in marbled wrappers and in very good condition throughout.Purchased from W.P.Watson (London) many years ago. Nice, extremely significant, and very rare!

Seller Inventory # 000023

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Rare and Important: A Letter of Mr. Isaac Newton.Containing his new Theory about Light and Colors.
• Publisher: Philosophic Transactions of the Royal Society, London
• Publication Date: 1672
• Language: English
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Near Fine