Galilei - Discorsi e Dimostrationi matematiche - 1655

Galilei Galileo

Discourses and Mathematical Demonstrations, Concerning Two New Sciences Related to Mechanics,
& The Local Movements.

In Bologna - MDCLV -
Heirs of Del Dozza

(8), 238 [i.e. 242], (6) p.
In 40 - 21.5 x 15.5 cm.

The most important Galileo-era work on modern science, in which it illustrates and demonstrates its principles.
In particular, it concerns uniformly accelerated motion and the science of construction.
CINTI 102
DIBNER 141
NORMAN 859
RICCARDI I, 516
WELCOME 2648

Galileo's last and most important mathematical work.

Widely regarded as the first modern text in physics, the 'two new sciences' were the 'engineering science of the strength of materials and the mathematical science of kinematics'.
The first science, as Galileo presents it, is based on the law of the lever; resistance to breaking is treated as a branch of statics.
The second is based on the assumption of uniformity and simplicity in nature, complemented by some dynamic hypotheses.
DSB V. p. 245

Although this edition was printed as part of the famous first collected edition of “Galileo’s Works” (in 2 volumes and edited by Carlo Manolessi, heirs of Dozza in Bologna 1655), it appears as an independent treatise, with its own title page and page numbering.
For this reason, individual works (such as this one) of Galileo's Bologna edition often circulate separately.

On the other hand, the complete "Works of Galileo", practically untraceable, is offered at prices exceeding 25,000 Euros,
while the Princeps of the present text “Discourses and Mathematical Demonstrations”, printed in great secrecy 17 years earlier (in 1638) in Leiden for Elzevier (identical in the text), reaches prices above 50,000 euros.

As with Galileo's other major works,
This treatise appears in the form of a dialogue between the characters Salviati, Sagredo and Simplicio, who were also present in Galileo's previous and problematic text, “Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems” of 1632.

This dialogue takes place over the course of four days, each of which addresses a topic in physics.
The first two dialogues, in the first two days, deal with problems relating to the constitution of matter; to the nature of mathematics, to the role
of experiment and reason in science; the weight of air, the nature of sound, the speed of light, and other fragmentary comments on physics as a whole.
The last two days are devoted to the treatment of uniform and accelerated motion, as well as the discussion of parabolic trajectories.
In particular, the fourth day discusses the motion of projectiles, which forms the basis for early military engineering.

Galileo made use of Tartaglia's work on trajectories and in this work he demonstrated Tartaglia's parabolic trajectories.

After the problems Galileo had with the papal authorities in Italy, due to his previous
“Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems,” he ensured that the present text, “Discourses and Mathematical Demonstrations,” was published in a country where the ban on publishing his works had little relevance.
Thus he managed to have a manuscript copy stolen from Italy to France, from where it was brought to the Elzevirs in Holland.

Excellent modern half-leather binding with hard marbled corners and boards.
Gilded fillets at the corners, leather and sinew on the spine, bearing the author's name in gilding.
Small stain on the back plate near the hinge.
Slight sunburn on the back.

The interior is in very good condition, with fresh, clean and intact paper, including the title page and the numerous illustrations of figures, diagrams, schemes and tables.
Rare browning on the cards.
Cuts lightly sprinkled with red lead.
Decorated front plates and front endpapers.
Keep the original guards.
Some page numbering errors, but ALL present.

Precious and rare copy, complete in every part.
Settled. Complete.