31,399 results
1760ref. 6004American or British After 1760. Very Good/Manuscript 18th-century game or puzzle which allows whoever knows the key to accurately guess anyone's age or chosen number in a "pick-a-number" scenario. We won't divulge the secret--but it has to do with binomial number systems--and it works! Similar magic age tables persist to the present day in a somewhat different form. . 1 leaf 200 x 323mm; watermark of crowned lion with scepter and fascia of arrows very like Churchill #88 which he identifies as English colonial dated 1762. Seven columns of numbers with brief explanation on verso. Folds some beginning to split. unknown books
ref. 14231Brilliant mathematician who made important contributions to the study of algebra and logic. Autograph letter signed. 4 pages. 7.25" x 4.5" inches. No place. December 6th 1857. To Miss Anna Blackwell. An interesting letter in which Augustus De Morgan talks about and ridicules some recent designs for flying machines and speculates on whether heavier than air manned flight will ever be achieved. He illustrates the letter with his own amusing drawings. "I have read your MSS according to promise and regret to say that I have no heavenly hopes excited by Monsieur Petin. It seems to me that his mechanics are as opposed to the common notions on which the Menai tunnel was built and the locomotives made to go through it as his mathematics to the way in which Euclid and Newton thought. His ideas about a point multiplied by itself producing a line etc are purely elementary misconceptions of some of the language used by mathematicians - and show him to be not even in the outer court of that temple. His mechanics seem to me as strange. I should take issue on the question of the machine blowing itself up in the air by directing a current on an oblique sail or wing. According to M. Petin if a man could but blow hard enough he could blow himself up into the air by holding out a looking-glass obliquely and blowing against it. inserted here is an amusing drawing captioned: M. Petin inventor of the pneumatic ascent into heaven - Grief of the Devil thereat - and wonder of the heavenly host. Any person who was but commonly acquainted with mechanics would have seen so much contradiction to all that is known in this ascent - and in the machine blowing itself forward any way - that he would have held himself bound to do something of the kind first on a small scale. If he would only have made a boat with a blowing machine on board blow itself forward in a small model he would have justified some attention being paid to him. I think his upward motion would turn to simple revolution as every upward motion does in France. He would blow his machine round and round - and the passengers would try the floor and ceiling alternatively - a plusiers reprises. I think that if you were to recast all the phrases in which you express some agreement with M. Petin and make it merely the expression of his opinions - you would do well to publish it - for it is very amusing and instructive - I send you an account of a Petin - and I have known a great many. But I think he will not overcome the difficulties. If he do it will be without knowing them. There are plenty of points on which we know nothing about the mechanics of the air but there are some which we do know or think we know and which until M. Petin actually unconvinces us by experiment we shall remain of opinion that his contrivance is a fight with the presence of the power of the air - in which he must be beaten. I think you have just hit the mark when you say that flying in the air will be done by something as distinct from any action as . . . of it now as the railway is distinct from the seven league boats - I have no doubt that something of this kind will be done at last." Augustus de Morgan was a highly respected and important mathematician of his time. He was a friend of Charles Babbage inventor of the analytical machine forerunner of the modern computer and was tutor to Ada Lovelace the daughter of the poet Lord Byron who supposedly wrote the first programme for Babbage's machine. He coined the terms 'mathematical induction' and 'double-algebra' and formulated De Morgan's Laws the mathematical rules that are named after him. The work of Augustus De Morgan led to the development of the theory of relations and the rise of modern symbolic or mathematical logic. He introduced and defined the term mathematical induction to describe the process that until then had been used with little clarity in mathematical proofs. He was known as a witty correspondent and this is amply demonstrated in this fine autograph letter to Miss Blackwell. His correspondent Anna Blackwell 1816-1900 was the elder sister of Elizabeth Blackwell the first woman to gain a medical degree in America and the first woman to be registered in Britain as a medical practitioner. Anna Blackwell had a career as a poet translator and journalist but nurtured an interest in science and was a member of the Association Scientifique de France. Old folds and slight mounting traces to left margin of first leaf else fine. Provenance: From a 19th century album composed by the Blyth family. Edward Blyth a London solicitor was a friend and advisor to Elizabeth Blackwell and her family. unknown books
ref. 14230British mathematician and astronomer taking the title of Astronomer Royal from 1835 to 1881. Airy is known for establishing Greenwich as the location of the prime meridian. Autograph letter Signed. 1 page. 6.25" x 3.75" inches. Royal Observatory Greenwich. March 27th 1851. To the engineer Charles Manby. "I am much obliged by your note regarding the presenting of the Paper & Discussion on the Exhibition Building. It will enable me to remove some misunderstanding." In addition to his considerable achievements as a mathematician and astronomer George Biddell Airy was also an accomplished engineer and pioneered research into stress fractures in girder beam construction. He was the expert who advised on the effect of wind speed and stress during the construction of the Tay Bridge. The "Exhibition Building" referred to in this letter is the Crystal Palace erected for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Airy had been consulted regarding stress in the ironwork and had given the opinion that Paxton's design was susceptible to stress caused by the resonance of the sound of the many people who would pass through the building. There was widespread disagreement over this and in this letter Airy is evidently thanking Manby for the opportunity to clarify his views at a meeting. Letter is trimmed and with mounting traces to verso. All else very good. unknown books
ref. 13906This 'Cyphering Book' is the handwritten mathematical 18th century workbook of David Tolbut dated 1790. Rockport ME. 64 pages. 12"x7.5". A remarkable well-executed and organized collection of math problems and instruction. Major headings include all as written: "Of Cloth Measure; Of Land Measure; Liquid Measure; Dry Measure; Of Time; The Golden Rule; The Double Rule of Three; Measuring; Single Fellowship; Double Fellowship; Practice; Interest; Compound Interest; Allegation; Loss and Gain; Equation of Payment; Barter; Brokerage; Invers Proportion; Single Position; Double Position; Exchange; Fare and Frett." Filled with multiple formulas showing a remarkable example of how mathematics were taught in the era of the American Revolution. The mathematical formulas follow the trend of this time period in that they are highly practical. Even abstract concepts like barter are expressed as an equation. Each lesson includes multiple examples and equations. Every page is completely filled most including multiple calculations. The condition shows light tidemarks some ink see through light even toning and soiling and some slight splitting. Otherwise in very good condition and an excellent example of mathematics use in the 18th century. unknown books
ref. 14232British mathematician. Autograph letter signed. 2 pages. University College London. October 29th 1850. To Wiliam Parker Hammond Junior. 7" x 4.5" inches. "In reply to your request for an autograph I send you one on the other side and remain your obedient servant" etc. Augustus De Morgan was a brilliant mathematician who made important contributions to the study of algebra and logic. He was a friend of Charles Babbage inventor of the Analytical Machine forerunner of the modern computer and tutor to Ada Lovelace daughter of the poet Lord Byron who is credited with writing the first computer programme. Augustus De Morgan coined the terms 'mathematical induction' and 'double-algebra' and formulated De Morgan's Laws the mathematical rules named after him. The work of De Morgan led to the development of the theory of relations and the rise of modern symbolic or mathematical logic. He introduced and defined the term' mathematical induction' to describe the process that until then had been used with little clarity in mathematical proofs. De Morgan was also the first to propose and use the oblique stroke in the printing of fractions. The two pages of the letter have been separated so as to display both in an album but without any loss to either leaf. There are mounting traces to the blank versos of both and some old staining from the paste that was originally used to affix them in an album. All else very good. unknown books
1989ref. 25738Australia: IBM 1989. First edition. Paperback. Very Good. Oblong paperbound quarto. Unpaginated. An intriguing volume on the topic of mathematics published Sponsored by IBM Australia Limited on behalf of ht e National Science and Technology Centre Canberra. Small sticker to front cover. Overall in clean very good condition. Scarce book. IBM paperback books
1954ref. S0498New York etc.:: McGraw-Hill for the American Mathematical Society 1954. 1954. 8vo. v 169 pp. Illus. index. Red cloth. Ownership signature. Fine. FIRST EDITION. Contributions from C. C. Lin S. Chandrasekhar Pr. R. Garabedian W. Bleakney N. W. McLachlan and others. McGraw-Hill, for the American Mathematical Society, 1954. hardcover books
1826ref. 243245Edinburgh: Printed for Adam Black and William Tait. 1826. First edition. x 207 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Uncut in the original boards printed paper spine label slightly stained. Fine copy of a very scarce book. First edition. x 207 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. OCLC: 52466797 4 copies -- only one in the U.S. Printed for Adam Black and William Tait. unknown books
1840ref. 57837Easton Pa: printed by Hetrich & Maxwell 1840. 8vo pp. 20; removed from binding wrappers wanting foxed and unevenly trimmed; all else very good. Urges the study of mathematics as a way to gain the power of analysis and reason. American Imprints 40-4201. printed by Hetrich & Maxwell unknown books
1758ref. 46397London: T. Payne 1758. First edition 8vo pp. iv 204; tables formulas and equations throughout the text; late 19th century half blue morocco over marbled boards by Blackwell gilt-decorated spine gilt-lettered direct t.e.g.; joints and extremities scuffed and rubbed; textblock about fine. T. Payne hardcover books
2001ref. WN41729New York: Springer-Verlag 2001. Yellow paper covered boards with blue and brown printing. Clean copy with only the former owner name printed neatly on ffep. Second Printing. Paper Covered Boards. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Trade. Springer-Verlag Hardcover books
1834ref. WB17570New York: W. E. Dean Printer 1834. Hardcover. Very Good. 12mo; pp. 316. Original sheep. Charming copy of this New York imprint. Heavily annotated with calculations on endpapers front and rear along with a few crude sketches. Bennett of Brooklyn Wycoff-Bennett house family copy with a number of signatures throughout. W. E. Dean, Printer hardcover books
1834ref. 19111New York: Published by M'Elrath Bangs & Co. 1834. Evidently an early reprint the first appearing in 1833. Binding somewhat foxed and a little worn and rubbed; some foxing in the endpapers; a very good copy of a fragile publisher's binding. 8vo original printed tan boards 129 1 pages. A handsome book in printed boards the key to Ostrander's Complete System of Mensuration text book. American Imprints 26093; see Karpinski page 353. Ink ownership inscription dated May 1834 from an individual at the Burr Seminary in Manchester N. H. on the front free endpaper. Published by M'Elrath, Bangs, & Co., unknown books
1990ref. 1338407Oxford New York Toronto: Oxford University Press 1990. Second Edition. Softcover. Octavo; VG-/paperback; blue/red spine with black text; second edition; covers show slight smudges to exterior; lightly sunned spine; intact covers; text block edges have light wear; small damp stain to head fore edge; stamped text to half title page; illustrated; interior clean; tight binding; pp 211. 1338407. FP New Rockville Stock. Oxford University Press unknown books
1995ref. 22669Princeton: Princeton University Press 1995. First edition. Paperback. Near Fine. Thick trade paperbound volume. First printing. 559 pp. Illustrated with a few photographs. Foreword by Benoit B. Mandelbrot. A lovely near fine copy. Princeton University Press paperback books
1823ref. 114New York: Samuel Wood & Sons 1823. Quarter leather. Good. Quarter leather bound gilt ruled spinepaper covered boards. 12mo. 5-7/8" x 3-5/8". Frontispiece 216pp. with one fold out and seven full page b/w plates. Contemporary owner's signature to front free endpaper. Fairly heavy foxing throughout. Samuel Wood & Sons unknown books
1908ref. WRCLIT81419Boston and London: Ginn and Company 1908. xiii3507pp. Large octavo. Blue cloth paper spine label fore and bottom edges untrimmed. Frontispiece and eight plates. Illustrations. Edges a bit dusty boards lightly rubbed along lower edge crown of spine a bit frayed with short closed snag minuscule 1916 ownership inscription in corner of free endsheet otherwise very good. First edition trade issue. With a clipped closing of a letter signed by Plimpton affixed to the front pastedown. The catalogue includes a substantial section of manuscripts supplementing the printed texts. A deluxe issue in two volumes also appeared limited to 150 numbered sets specially bound. Ginn and Company hardcover books
2002ref. 22372NY: Oxford University Press. As New. 2002. Hardcover. 0198535481 . Number 27 in the London Mathematical Society Monographs New Series. 334 pages. First printing. As new in dark blue cloth with gilt lettering. No dust jacket as issued. . Oxford University Press hardcover books
1784ref. 864091784. MATHEMATICS Murai Chûzen. Shugyokû SANPÔ DÔJIMON CHILDREN'S QUESTIONS ABOUT MATHEMATICS 5 vols. Kyoto Tennojiya Ichirobei Temmei 4 1784. 22.9 x 15.9 cm. Uniformly bound Japanese-style fukuro-toji with original printed covers and printed paper title labels. The preface has a zodiacal date of 1781. Important and unusual classic of mathematical pedagogy in Japan heavily illustrated in bw woodcut. There appear to be but 2 copies outside Japan and both are in the Library of Congress. The KSSM volume three p.854 Union catalog from Japan identifies this as being a 6 volume work but two things militate against that: The LOC copies are both 5 volumes bound in 6 ours is 5 volumes bound in 5 and our copy has the original Tennojiya bookseller catalogue bound into the back of the book which clearly states this book is published in 5 volumes. In addition the text is continuous and ends at the end of volume 5. The covers are contemporary to the 1780's the impressions good or better the condition very good throughout. An important book. In a fitted chitsu clasped case. unknown books
1775ref. WB15516Paris: Charles-Antoine Jombert 1775. Hardcover. Near Fine. 8vo; full contemporary mottled calf. 4 96 413 5pp. half-title. engraved folding plates numbered to 37 bound in at rear. A very nice copy. Charles-Antoine Jombert hardcover books
1759ref. D2000Barcelona 1759. Manuscript exercise book on the mathematics of artillery of Fernando Seilde "Dn Fernando Seilde" Lieutenant in the Wallon Infantry Regiemtn of Flanders in period full vellum ties missing Barcelona January 16 1759. Kept in a regular and elegant hand this volume is the fifth treatise artillery of the eight-part official course in Mathematics taught at the Royal Military Academy of Barcelona for over half a century. Numerous finely drawn illustrations. hardcover books
1991ref. WN41731New York: Springer-Verlag 1991. Yellow paper covered boards slight crumpling at head of spine. Otherwise clean and unmarked. Fifth Edition. Paper Covered Boards. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Trade. Springer-Verlag Hardcover books
1995ref. 29123NY: Holiday House. Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. 1995. Hardcover. 0823411907 . Illustrated by the author. First edition. Previous owner's name on front free endpaper else fine in a very near fine short closed edge tear at the top of the front panel dust jacket. . Holiday House hardcover books
1986ref. 25067NY:: W. H. Freeman. Near Fine. 1986. Paperback. 0716717999 . Third paperback printing. Small stain on top edge else fine in illustrated wraps. . W. H. Freeman, paperback books
1999ref. 23055Boston: Birkhauser. Near Fine. 1999. Hardcover. 0817640789 . First printing. Trace shelf wear else near fine in green cloth. No dust jacket as issued. . Birkhauser hardcover books
