From the mid-eighteenth century emerges a fabulously researched and edited collection of the works of England’s greatest polymath: Excerpta by Sir Isaac Newton.
The full title, in Latin, is: ‘Excerpta Quaedam e Newtoni Principiis Philosophiae Naturalis, cum notis variorum’, which can be translated as, ‘Certain Extracts from Newton’s Principles of Natural Philosophy, with notes of various kinds’.
This book of Newton’s works was published in 1765 in Cambridge, and was edited by John Jebb, Robert Thorp, and Francis Wollaston. In this copy, these men’s names have been written in pencil on the front end-paper, and also inked in on the title page, despite them not being mentioned in print in English anywhere else in the book.
Excerpta is written entirely in Latin, but there is still something to marvel at for those who are not fluent in the dead language. Included in this book are twelve foldout plates of various diagrams and mathematical drawings, which (although probably enhanced by the text) transcend the need for full comprehension in order to appreciate them.
The book covers Newton’s Principles of Natural Philosophy, from mechanics, gravity, motion, and so much more. The pages are littered with numerous equations and writings, all enriched and referenced by the dozen foldout diagrams.
Not a lot is known about this edition of Newton’s works, but it indicates a significant landmark in the understanding and integration of the discoveries and research of Newton in the educational sphere; publications were made in Cambridge, Oxford, London, York, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dublin.
Our quarto copy of Excerpta has been rebound, with leather wrapped around the spine, and a golden embossed title. The boards are covered in card, with scuffing and marks to the front and end board, but no damage other than some wear. The leaves are excellently preserved, with only some pages showing signs of foxing. On the front end-paper, a stamp from the King’s Inn Library in Dublin, dating from 21st May 1957, indicates this may have been a copy distributed to Trinity College, or at least found its way into the hands of a scholar in Dublin. It is being sold for £1,750.
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