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MEASURING THE EARTH FROM THE EQUATOR

MEASURING THE EARTH FROM THE EQUATOR

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MEASURING THE EARTH FROM THE EQUATOR: Journal du voyage fait par l’ordre du roi, a l’équateur, servant d’introduction historique a la mesure des trois premiers degre’s du meridien.

by LA CONDAMINE, M. de

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About This Item

(offered with) Mesure des trois premier degre's du meridien dans l'hemisphere Austral, tirée des observations de M.rs de l'académie royale des sciences, envoyés par le roi pour l'équateur. Paris: De L'Imprimerie Royale, 1751 Two separate volumes. 4to. [ii], xxxvi, 280, xv, [1]; [xii], 266, x, viii pp. With 6 engraved plates (5 folding), including the map of Quito, in the first work, and 3 folding plates in the second work. Engraved headpieces. Contemporary tree calf, spine gilt in compartments with morocco labels, upper front cover of both books with mild stain; some minor marginal waterstain to a few leaves of the second volume, otherwise a clean and wide-margined set.

First edition of the account of the scientific expedition to the equator sponsored by the Academie des Sciences. The French Academy sent out two expeditions in 1735, the purpose of which was to measure an arc of the meridian in order to settle a controversy over the shape of the earth. La Condamine, along with Bouger and Godin, traveled to Equador, while the second expedition consisting of Maupertuis, Clairaut and Le Monnier went to Lapland to measure several degrees of meridian at the arctic circle.

La Condamine ultimately split from his group and traveled alone to Quito. Thereafter he journeyed down the Amazon, and thus became the first to undertake a scientific exploration of that part of South America. He returned to Paris where he published this work, two years after Bouger published his own account of the results of the group's experiments.

The original controversy between the two sides regarding the shape of the earth (ablate ellipsoid according to Newton and Huygens, and prolate ellipsoid according to Descartes and the Cassinis) was quite polemical. Comparing the measurements taken during the expeditions of the French Academy ultimately verified Newton's theories.

DSB, XV, p. 270; Norman, 1250.

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Details

Bookseller
Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts US (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #
13901
Title
MEASURING THE EARTH FROM THE EQUATOR
Author
LA CONDAMINE, M. de
Book Condition
Used
Quantity Available
1
Edition
FIRST EDITION
Publisher
Imprimerie royale
Place of Publication
Paris
Date Published
1751
Weight
0.00 lbs
Keywords
science, voyages, Peru, geodesy, gravitation, instruments, phyics, mathematics, travel & exploration, mechanics, technology, astronomy, french imprints, 18th century

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About the Seller

Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts

Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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Sherman Oaks, California

About Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts

Founded in 1970, Rootenberg Rare Books has served a large international clientele of collectors as well as private and public institutions in the acquisition of rare books and manuscripts, and in collection development. We are among the leading specialists in the fields of science, medicine, technology and natural history. We also maintain high quality rare books and manuscripts in diverse subjects including travel and exploration, literary classics, economics and philosophy, Americana, and modern first editions, many inscribed. Our expertise and familiarity with these subjects allows us to acquire and house major collections in these fields. We are dedicated to our customer's specific needs, and look forward to developing long term relationships by keeping you informed about significant materials in your areas of interest. Rootenberg Rare Books consists of three generations: grandmother, father and daughter, and is located minutes from West Los Angeles, near UCLA and the Getty, as well as a second location in Durham, North Carolina. We always welcome visitors, though appointments are suggested. We occasionally issue finely printed and illustrated catalogues as well as specialized subject lists, and are constantly adding existing and new material to our website. We exhibit at several national and international book fairs during the year, represent clients at auction and offer appraisal and other professional services. We are always interested in purchasing single items or entire collections, and would be pleased to consider any materials you wish to sell. Special requests and specific wants will be given particular attention. We are always available, via phone, fax or email, to answer questions, search for a specific title, or provide information on our inventory.

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Gilt
The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
Morocco
Morocco is a style of leather book binding that is usually made with goatskin, as it is durable and easy to dye. (see also...
First Edition
In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
Spine
The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
Calf
Calf or calf hide is a common form of leather binding. Calf binding is naturally a light brown but there are ways to treat the...
Leaves
Very generally, "leaves" refers to the pages of a book, as in the common phrase, "loose-leaf pages." A leaf is a single sheet...

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