TRAITE GENERAL DES HORLOGES.

FIRST EDITION 1734, French text, 8vo, approximately 195 x 125 mm, 7¾ x 5 inches, 27 folding plates in total, numbered I-XXV plus 2 further plates numbered IX* and XXIII*, 4 folding tables, pages: viii, 1-387 including index of authors cited in the Traite, (8) - Errata, Table of Contents and Privilege du Roi, bound in full contemporary mottled calf, raised bands and gilt decoration in compartments, gilt lettered morocco label, all edges red. Tiny chips and tiny cracks at head and tail of hinges with slight loss to leather at foot of spine, small hole repaired to head of spine, label slightly chipped, corners slightly worn with board showing at tips, front inner hinge partly split, small repair to edge of front endpaper, title page lightly browned and faint name in fore-edge margin, small brown stain to upper edge of first 140 pages gradually fading, very occasional slight foxing, small ink stain to 1 margin, small stain on 2 facing pages with loss of 3 letters on each, a few ink notes on rear endpapers. Binding tight and firm. A very good copy. Dom Jacques Alexandre ( Allexandre) (1653-1734) was a learned Benedictine monk, a man of great industry whose leisure was devoted to the study of mathematics and physical and mechanical science. He is known for his 2 works, "Traite du flux et du reflux de la mer" and the "Traité général des horloges." The latter is a general treatise on the history and art of constructing time-pieces. It contains a bibliography of writers on the subject of clocks with a brief account of their principal works: dialling, water clocks and wheel clocks, with a long description of the more important books (pages 277-382). See: G.H. Baillie, Clocks and Watches, Volume 1, page 180; The Clockmakers' Library, compiled by John Bromley, page1, No.10. MORE IMAGES ATTACHED TO THIS LISTING, ALL ZOOMABLE, FURTHER IMAGES ON REQUEST. POSTAGE AT COST AND ALL PARCELS SENT FULLY TRACKED AND FULLY INSURED.…