John Underwood - Rare and Antiquarian Books and Manuscripts

WILKINS.JOHN. Mathematical Magick,The Wonders that may be performed by Mechanichal Geometry. Concerning Mechanical Powers / Motions. Being one of the most easie, pleasant, useful, (and yet most neglected) part of mathematicks. Not before treated of in this language.Printed for Ric. Baldwin, Near the Oxford-Arms Inn,Warwick Lane 1691 4th edition.Collates thus: new blank ffep, original blank,portrait frontis (trimmed to fore edge) Title page, (ii The Epistle),(iv To the Reader),(vi Contents),Pp 295 ,(i bookseller's advert ) complete. Bound in recent panelled calf, blind stamped, five compartments to the spine,red Morocco title piece gilt. New endpapers. Internally in excellent bright condition with the plates crisply printed. A couple of pages with corner missing through original paper flaws .A very pleasing copy overall. Wilkins was the first secretary of The Royal Society, but his Science and Mathematic seem to teeter on the edge of fantasy, or perhaps reflect what it might be expedient for a Bishop to write at the time. My favourite example of this is seen in his statement that "There are four several ways whereby this flying in the air hath been or may be attempted.....1. By Spirits or Angels,2. By the help of fowls. 3.By wings fastened immediately to the body. 4.By a flying Chariot". There are many other fanciful suggestions in this work, some of them illustrated . One of my favourite C17th works.

keywords: Mathematics, The Royal Society,

condition: Near Fine

jacket: None Issued

binding: Full-Leather, Blind Stamped