BIBLIOTHECA MECHANICA

New York: Jonathan A. Hill, 1991. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine. Limited to 1,000 copies. "The Verne L. Roberts collection is devoted to rare and important books in the fields of mechanics, biomechanics, the strength of materials, and the history of technology. This is one of the most remarkable private libraries to be formed in recent decades and the books and manuscripts in this catalogue, including many of the classics of physics, demonstrate the origins of these fields of science and their development through the ensuing three centuries. The roots of these sciences are also illustrated through a number of important 15th and 16th century books. The catalogue describes approximately 1200 items. The extensive bibliographical and historical descriptions of the books and authors document and define the growth and development of ideas in the history of science and technology. Many of the books are noted for their rarity and have not hitherto been described adequately from a historical or bibliographical point of view. Quarto: xiv, 391 p. with 50 black and white illustrations, including a facsimile of the frontispiece portrait of Sir Isaac Newton taken from the original engraving by George Vertue for the third edition of the Principia. Original pictorial paper-covered boards over a tan cloth spine with silver titles. A fine copy.