One of the most important works in the history of science, Isaac Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, will feature in a sale of rare books and manuscripts on August 8.
 A groundbreaking book from the renowned Dibner Library |
The copy at auction is a rare 18th century third edition, which was published in London in 1726. It is bound in the folio format in full contemporary calf, boasting a gilt-lettered red leather spine label, and is expected to bring between $15,000 and $25,000 in the sale.
The consigners were given the book as a wedding gift by Bern Dibner, founder of the Burndy Engineering Company. The work was formerly part of the renowned Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology, the remainder of which has now been donated to the Smithsonian Institution.
It was in Newton's Principia Mathematica, first published in 1687, that he first laid out the renowned theories that today form the foundation of classical mechanics. The work features Newton's laws of motion, his law of universal gravitation and a derivation of Kepler's laws of planetary motion.
A first edition of the Principia Mathematica made $194,500 at Christie's in 2008, achieving an 8% increase on its high estimate of $180,000, promising strong results for the work at auction.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a fantastic, unique item from another great scientific pioneer - Thomas Edison. Click here to view.
