Science and the Renaissance: Volume I, An Introduction to the Study of the Emergence of the Sciences in the Sixteenth Century; Volume II, An Annotated Bibliography of the Sixteenth-Century Books Relating to the Sciences in the Library of the University of Aberdeen — Complete Two-Volume Set

Good / Fair Complete two-volume first edition of W. P. D. Wightman’s Science and the Renaissance, published for the University of Aberdeen in 1962 as Aberdeen University Studies Nos. 143 and 144. Both volumes are bound in the publisher’s red cloth with gilt University of Aberdeen arms to the front boards and gilt lettering to the spines, and both retain their original printed dust jackets. Volume I, An Introduction to the Study of the Emergence of the Sciences in the Sixteenth Century, examines the intellectual development of science during the Renaissance and the gradual emergence of scientific methods and disciplines from the intellectual traditions of the medieval and classical worlds. Volume II, An Annotated Bibliography of the Sixteenth-Century Books Relating to the Sciences in the Library of the University of Aberdeen, forms the bibliographical companion, documenting and annotating the University’s important collection of sixteenth-century scientific books. Together the volumes provide both a historical study and a substantial reference bibliography relating to Renaissance science, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, natural philosophy, and early scientific printing. Condition: Both volumes are firmly bound and internally well preserved, with generally clean pages and only light age toning. Red cloth bindings remain attractive with light shelf wear, rubbing, and scattered minor surface marks. Gilt titles and armorial devices remain visible. A few small handwritten notations are present on an endpaper as photographed. No extensive internal marking is apparent from inspection. Both original dust jackets are present, but their condition differs considerably. Volume I’s dust jacket is heavily worn and is the significantly poorer of the two, with substantial chipping and paper loss at the head of the spine and along the upper edges, additional losses at corners and lower edge, numerous tears and creases, surface rubbing and abrasion, soiling, and general fragility. Portions of the jacket nevertheless remain intact, including the principal front-panel lettering, spine information, and flaps. Volume II’s dust jacket is considerably better preserved and substantially more complete, though still showing age-related soiling, rubbing, edge wear, small chips and tears, and creasing, particularly around the spine ends and corners. Please refer closely to photographs for jacket condition. Overall, the books themselves are approximately Very Good, with the jackets Fair as a pair due primarily to the extensive deterioration of the Volume I jacket. Wightman’s two-volume work is a useful scholarly resource in the history of science and Renaissance intellectual history. Volume II is of particular bibliographical interest for its detailed treatment of sixteenth-century scientific books held by the University of Aberdeen, making the set relevant to collectors and scholars of early scientific literature, bibliography, history of medicine, early printing, and the Scientific Revolution. The presence of both original dust jackets, despite the considerable deterioration of the first, is an additional feature worth retaining and documenting. Carefully packed and shipped in a sturdy box with appropriate protective materials. USPS Media Mail available within the United States unless otherwise requested. International shipping available at cost. Returns accepted in accordance with AbeBooks policies. SCI 2b.…