Jean-Sylvain Bailly - Lettres sur l'origine des sciences et sur celle des peuples de l'Asie - 1777

Jean-Sylvain Bailly. Letters on the origin of science and on that of the peoples of Asia. London, Paris, Debure, 1777, (2) ff., 348 pp.

A volume in octavo (205x130 mm), full calf, smooth spine ornamented, red morocco title label, red edges (binding of the period). Wear and rubbing on the boards and spine, the upper and lower hinge of the first board cracked, the lower hinge of the second board cracked, headbands trimmed. Interior fresh, no foxing.

Original edition of this collection of letters on the origin of the sciences addressed to Voltaire and preceded by a few letters from Voltaire to the author who contests certain points of Bailly's theses.

In it Bailly develops a reflection on the origin and transmission of scientific knowledge, especially astronomy, based on the study of the civilizations of ancient Asia. He examines in particular traditions attributed to the Chaldeans, the Persians, the Indians, and the Chinese, as well as the similarities he believes he can observe between different peoples and their astronomical knowledge.