Beschreibung:

NEWTON, Isaac. Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica , Cambridge: 1713. 4 (245 x 190mm.), engraved colophon of Cambridge University on title, one folding engraved plate, numerous woodcut diagrams, with final blank (lacking blank at beginning, title soiled and laid down, plate lightly spotted, verso of margin of a2 and a3 with laminated repair, clean marginal tear to Ii2, lower corner of Kk1 torn away and laminated, margin of last two leaves stained, occasional light spotting, a few pencil marks in margins), 20th-century morocco-backed marbled boards (rubbed along front joint). The second edition of "the greatest work in the history of science ... The Principia provided the great synthesis of the cosmos, proving finally its physical unity. Newton showed that the important and dramatic aspects of nature were subject to the universal law of gravitation could be explained, in mathematical terms, with a single physical theory ... for the first time a single mathematical law could explain the motion of objects on earth as well as the phenomena of the heavens. The whole cosmos is composed of inter-connecting parts influencing each other according to these laws. It was this grand conception that produced a general revolution in human thought, equalled perhaps only by that following Darwin's Origin of Species " (PMM) This edition, edited by Roger Cotes, contains his important preface (in which he attacks the Cartesian philosophy), a second preface by Newton, and substantial additions, the chapters on the lunar theory and the theory of comets being much enlarged. Only 750 copies of this edition were printed. Babson 12; Wallis II, 8; cf. PMM 161.