Traité théorique et expérimental d'hydrodynamique
Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1786-1787. 2 volumes in-8 de I. (6), XVIII, 545, (3) pages et 12 planches ; de II. (8), 515, (1) pages et 11 planches ; basane racinée de l'époque, dos lisse avec pièces de titre et de tomaison rouge, tranches cirées. Item #YEG-245
First edition of one of the classic works and the final Bossut's work in hydrodynamics and hydraulics after a Traité élémentaire d'hydrodynamique published in 1771. "Bossut’s importance for the history of science lies in his role as a major contributor to European scientific education. His career began in 1752, when he was appointed as professor of mathematics at the École du Génie at Mézières. He remained as professor until 1768, then continued as examiner of students until 1794. His other teaching post was from 1775 to 1780, in the chair of hydrodynamics established by Turgot at the Louvre. For a time he was also examiner of students at the École Polytechnique. Bossut wrote a series of textbooks that appeared in several French and foreign-language editions and won wide acceptance from the 1770’s until the early years of the Empire. The texts of Bossut and Étienne Bézout best represent the emergence in the eighteenth century of a standardized, rigorous system of engineering physics textbooks" (DSB). In the 1786/87, the second volume is particularly interesting as it describes numerous hydraulic experiments. The large and nice plates illustrate many hydraulic machines including two devices which produce steam : the Savery machine, and a later modified machine by Watt and Bolton and built in France by the Périer brothers. For a textbook, this publication is a luxuous edition superbly printed and engraved on strong paper. D.S.B., II, pp. 334-35. Rouse & Ince, History of Hydraulics, pp. 126-27. Au tome premier galerie de vers dans la marge intérieure à partir de la page 500 sans atteinte au texte ; au tome second galerie de vers à partir de la page 447 jusqu'à la fin et traversant les deux dernières planches avec toute petite atteinte au texte et planches, toutefois un bel exemplaire, très bien relié à l'époque et dénué de rousseurs.
Price: €750.00