1787 – Rational Recreations | Magic Tricks, Optics Secrets, Illustrated Gadgets

William Hooper’s “Rational Recreations” is a collection of 18th-century science experiment findings and reports. Hooper, a self-proclaimed natural philosopher, looked to expose many of the visual illusion scams that were prevalent throughout England at the time, exposing them through science. According to Bellion, Hooper’s famed treatise, “revealed the hidden workings of illusionistic devices and instructing readers in do-it-yourself gadgetry”

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Rational recreations, in which the principles of numbers and natural philosophy are clearly and copiously elucidated
• Author(s): William Hooper
• Publisher: London, printed for Davis, Holborn
• Edition: 1787 third edition, Volume I.
• Binding: Leather binding with gilt spine
• Format: (8vo), single volume
• Size:  8.25 in x 5.25 in (21 cm x 14 cm)
• Collation: [4], xvi, 267, [1] pp
  • Volume 1 only
• Illustrations: 12 folding plates, hand-colored
• Contents Include:
  • Experiments in natural philosophy
  • Optical and mechanical devices
  • Numerical demonstrations
  • Magic tricks!
  • Discussions of illusion and visual effects
• Provenance: bookplate – Bridehead
• Reference(s): Pleasing Deceptions by Wendy Bellion

Condition:

Very Good. Leather binding secure with gilt retained on spine. Text block firm and complete. Pages remain clean, and folding plates are intact with no major tears or defects noted.

Why Collect This?

• Includes 12 folding plates, illustrating science experiments and tricks

Item Number: #50232