1740 – Isaac Newton Optics | Famous Science & Physics – Clarke, Illustrated

Few works in the history of science have had as much of an influence as Isaac Newton’s Opticks. This work summarized Newton’s discoveries and theories concerning light and color, reflections, color wheel, invention of the telescope, early theories of the rainbow, and Newtonian rings – one of the greatest works on optics.

The 1706 first edition of Newton’s famed work proved to be extremely popular, and the popularity has remained into the 21st-century. The 1740 edition is equally as desirable and rare, containing 12 impressive, folding engravings and edited by Samuel Clarke.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Optice, sive de Reflexionibus, refractionibus, inflexionibus et coloribus lucis, libri tres, auctore Isaaco Newton
• Author(s): Isaac Newton
• Contributor(s): Samuel Clarke (Translator)
• Publisher: Lausannae et Genevae : Sumpt. M.M. Bousquet et sociorum
• Edition: 1740.
• Binding: Full vellum
• Format: (4to), single volume
• Size:  9.5in x 7.75in (24.5cm x 19.5cm)
• Collation: [4], XXXII, 364 pp
• Illustrations: 12 folding engraved plates
• Contents Include:
  • Full survey of Newton optics experiments
  • Illustrations included
• Reference(s): PMM 172

Condition:

Very Good. Binding is tight and secure with slight fading to decorative accents. Corners and edges show minimal wear. Pages are mildly toned from age but remain strong. All 12 engravings are present.

Why Collect This?

• Latin Clarke edition of Newton’s major work on light and color
• Includes all 12 original folding plates
• Sought-after among collectors of early physics and optics

Item Number: # 29748