A Course of Experimental Philosophy – Desaguliers – 1763 | Physics Plates 2vols

A Course of Experimental Philosophy by John Theophilus Desaguliers is a premier source of Enlightenment philosophy. First published in 1734, this landmark work was designed to teach principles of Newtonian physics through mechanical demonstrations. Desaguliers’ methods of teaching physics is on full display in this 1763 edition which contains 78 engraved plates illustrating mechanics, optics, and hydrostatics experiments.

This title was known to have wide reaching appeal. In fact, this exact edition was known to be owned and used by Harry Houdini who used it to better his magic acts (according to Library of Congress records). This particular example was owned by the Ibbotson family, specifically the British artist, Julius Caesar Ibbetson.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Course of Experimental Philosophy
• Author(s): J. T. Desaguliers
• Publisher: London, Printed for A. Millar, et al.
• Edition: Third Edition, Corrected. 1763.
• Format: (4to), 2 volumes
• Binding: Full leather
• Size: ~ 9.75 in x 7.75 in (24.8 cm x 19.7 cm)
• Collation:
  • Vol. 1: xi, [1], 466, [10];
  • Vol. 2: viii, 568, [8]
• Illustrations: 78 engraved plates
• Contents Include:
  • Experimental mechanics
  • Optics and hydrostatics
  • Engraved illustrations of apparatus
• Provenance: Armorial Bookplate – J. Ibbetson of Leeds
• Julius Caesar Ibbetson, (18^th and 19^th-century British painter). Motto “vixi liber et moriar” on bookplate, associated with prominent figures of the Ibbetson family.

Condition:

The volumes are bound in leather with secure spines. The boards show rubbing and surface staining, with edges showing wear. Hinges show pulling but remain sound. Text and plates are complete and intact. Very Good for an eighteenth-century scientific set.

Why Collect This?

• Important Newtonian instructional text of the Enlightenment
• Illustrated with 78 engraved plates of scientific apparatus
• Provenance: Armorial Bookplate of 18^th-century British artist, Julius Caesar Ibbetson of Leeds
• Harry Houdini read and valued this book.

Item Number: # 29298