Ozanam Fréderic

1750 · réf. 18749 — Paris 1750. 8vo. Jacques Rollin Contemporary mottled calf spine gilt in compartments with two red morocco labels lettered in gold blue marbled edges. With 136 engraved plates 9 folding 127 full-page numerous woodcut diagrams and printed tables in the text. 4 volumes. 16 460 20; 4 462 14; 2 482 12; 8 446 5 pp. Enlarged edition of a famous compendium of popular science complete with all 136 engraved plates. The work discusses a wide variety of subjects as it presents both serious scientific problems and experiments as well as descriptions of conjuring tricks fireworks and games. The problems and their solutions are arranged according to subject: arithmetical geometrical gnomonical optical mechanical pyrotechnical and physical. The optical problems were based on the author's own teachings of perspective and include working with mirrors anamorphosis and a camera obscura. All problems and experiments described are clearly and fully depicted on the numerous engraved plates.For his Recreations Jacques Ozanam 1640-1717 used everything known at the time in the field of popular science and made use of the works of Claude Gaspard Bachet de Mérizac Claude Mydorge Jean Leurechon and Daniel Schwenter. The added treatise on clocks which can be found in the third volume was based upon Domenico Martinelli's Horlogi elementari 1669 with popular observations by Ozanam added. However Ozanam not only recreated other scientist's experiments but also presented his own including a first idea of a movie made by quickly projecting magic lantern slides of the same figure in slightly different poses creating the illusion of a person walking. His work became very popular and was used at schools and at home to teach youth all aspects of mathematical sciences. The first edition was published in 1694; this is the final edition in the original form as the work was almost entirely rewritten by Jean-Étienne Montucla 1725-1799 shortly after. The present edition was significantly enlarged compared to the first edition with extra information and 52 additional plates.Ozanam came from a Jewish family that had converted to Catholicism. He taught mathematics in Lyon before going to Paris where his teaching brought him a substantial income. Ozanam cannot be regarded as a first-rate mathematician but he had a flair for writing and during his career he wrote a number of books some of which were very popular passing through many editions. His contributions consisted of popular treatises and reference works on 'useful and practical mathematics' and this extremely popular work on mathematical recreations which had by far the more lasting impact. Ozanam's Récréations may be regarded as the forerunner of modern books on mathematical recreations.With a paper shelfmark label mounted on the front pastedown of each volume "j3459/ 223". The edges and corners of the boards of all volumes are somewhat scuffed. Internally clean with only minor foxing on some of the leaves plates 19-21 in volume 1 are bound in the wrong order. Otherwise in very good condition.l Caillet 8242 mentions only 132 plates; Sotheran 12888; Poggendorff II col. 342; cf. DSB IX p. 263-265. hardcover