Bettoni - L'uomo volante - 1784
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Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man for Air, for Water, and for Earth – A rare pioneering treatise on flight – Venice, 1784
Rare first edition in Venetian:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Published anonymously, but bibliographically attributed to Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
A fascinating and remarkably early Italian treatise concerning human flight and mechanical transportation, published in 1784, only one year after the celebrated aerostatic experiments of the Montgolfier brothers.
The author explicitly discusses the recent invention of the aerostatic balloon and develops his own concepts for machines capable of travelling through the air, over water and on land.
The work contains sections devoted to the “Macchina volante per aria” (Flying Machine for the Air) as well as systems for water and terrestrial transportation.
Of particular scientific interest is the extensive mathematical treatment accompanying the proposed inventions, including calculations concerning fluid resistance, velocity, naval propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The Introduction is especially evocative of the scientific optimism of the Enlightenment: the author argues that mankind often fails to discover seemingly impossible things simply because nobody has seriously attempted to find them, citing the recent conquest of the air as his principal example.
The book therefore represents a fascinating document of the extraordinary European enthusiasm for aviation and human flight immediately following the first Montgolfier ascents.
Antique binding, with decorated/marbled paper and old handwritten spine label reading Uomo volante. The final Errata is present. Numerous mathematical formulae, typographical ornaments and decorative headpieces. Privo delle tavole.
Condition as shown in the photographs. Normal signs of age compatible with a volume of about 240 years.
Bibliography: the work is catalogued in the ETH Zürich collections and in important international specialist collections.
Topics: history of aviation, aeronautics, Montgolfier, history of science, engineering, mechanics, hydrodynamics, navigation, Italian Enlightenment.
⸻
Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man – Rare Early Treatise on Human Flight, Aviation and Mechanical Transportation – Venice, 1784
Rare first Venetian edition of:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Published anonymously but bibliographically attributed to Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
A fascinating and remarkably early Italian treatise concerning human flight and mechanical transportation, published in 1784, only one year after the celebrated Montgolfier balloon experiments of 1783.
The author explicitly discusses the recent invention of the aerostatic balloon and develops his own concepts for machines capable of travelling through the air, over water and on land.
The work contains sections devoted to a “Macchina volante per aria” (Flying Machine for the Air) as well as sections on water and terrestrial transportation.
Of particular scientific interest are the extensive mathematical treatment accompanying the proposed inventions, including calculations concerning fluid resistance, velocity, naval propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The Introduction is particularly evocative of the technological optimism of the Enlightenment: the author argues that mankind often fails to discover apparently impossible things simply because nobody has seriously attempted to find them, citing the recent conquest of the air as his principal example.
The book therefore represents a fascinating document of the extraordinary European enthusiasm for aviation and human flight immediately following the first Montgolfier ascents.
Antique binding, with decorated/marbled paper and old handwritten spine label reading Uomo volante. The final Errata is present. Numerous mathematical formulae, typographical ornaments and decorative headpieces.
Condition as shown in the photographs, with normal signs of age compatible with a book approximately 240 years old.
A highly appealing item for collections devoted to early aviation, aeronautics, history of science, engineering, transportation, navigation and Enlightenment technology.
⸻
Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man – Rare precursor treatise on human flight and aviation – Venice, 1784
Rare first Venetian edition of:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Ouvrage publié anonymement, aujourd’hui attribué bibliographiquement à Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
Remarkable Italian treatise devoted to human flight and new systems of locomotion, published in 1784, only a year after the famous aerostatic experiments of the Montgolfier brothers.
The author explicitly discusses the recent invention of the balloon and develops his own plans for machines designed to move through the air, on water and on land.
The work includes a section titled “Macchina volante per aria,” as well as developments devoted to navigation and terrestrial transport.
The work’s scientific interest is also notable: the proposed projects are accompanied by numerous mathematical calculations concerning the resistance of fluids, speed, naval propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The Introduction admirably reflects the scientific optimism of the Enlightenment: the author states that man often does not discover certain things simply because he does not search for them, taking as an example the recent conquest of the air.
Old binding, decorated/marble paper and an old handwritten back inscription: Uomo volante. Final Errata present. Numerous mathematical formulas and typographical ornaments.
Condition as shown in the photographs, with age-related signs consistent with a book about 240 years old.
A piece particularly interesting for a collection devoted to the beginnings of aviation, aeronautics, history of science, engineering, transportation, navigation and the Enlightenment.
⸻
Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man – Rare early treatise on human flight and air travel – Venice, 1784
Rare first Venetian edition of:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Anonymous publication, bibliographically attributed to Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
An extraordinary early Italian tract on human flight and mechanical transportation, published in 1784, only one year after the famed balloon experiments of the Montgolfier brothers.
The author explicitly refers to the recent invention of the aerostatic balloon and develops his own designs for machines meant to move in the air, on water and on land.
The book includes the section “Macchina volante per aria,” along with detailed considerations on water and land transport.
Of particular scientific interest are the numerous mathematical calculations regarding fluid resistance, speed, ship propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The work represents a fascinating document from the early history of aviation and the scientific and technological optimism of the Enlightenment.
Antique binding with decorated/marble paper and an old handwritten spine label Uomo volante. The final Errata is present. Many mathematical formulas and typographic ornaments.
Condition as shown in the photographs, with normal signs of age for a book about 240 years old.
A particularly interesting item for collectors of early aviation, aeronautics, history of science, technology, shipping and transport history.
⸻
Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man – Rare early treatise on human flight and air travel – Venice, 1784
Rare first Venetian edition of:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Anonymous publication, bibliographically attributed to Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
A remarkable early Italian tract devoted to human flight and to the new systems of locomotion, published in 1784, only one year after the Montgolfier brothers’ famous aerostatic experiments.
The author explicitly mentions the recent invention of the balloon and develops his own proposals for machines intended to move through the air, on water and on land.
The work includes a section titled “Macchina volante per aria,” as well as developments on navigation and terrestrial transport.
The book’s scientific interest lies in the numerous mathematical calculations concerning fluid resistance, speed, naval propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The Introduction admirably reflects the Enlightenment’s scientific optimism: the author asserts that man often does not discover certain things simply because he does not search for them, using the recent conquest of the air as his example.
Ancient binding with decorated/marbled paper and an old handwritten back label: Uomo volante. Final Errata present. Numerous mathematical formulas and typographic ornaments.
Condition as shown in the photographs, with age-appropriate signs for a book of about 240 years.
A particularly interesting item for collectors of early aviation, aeronautics, history of science, engineering, transport and navigation history.
⸻
Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man – Rare Early Treatise on Human Flight and Aviation – Venice, 1784
Rare first Venetian edition of:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Anonymous publication, bibliographically attributed to Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
An extraordinary early Italian tract devoted to human flight and new systems of locomotion, published in 1784, only one year after the Montgolfier brothers’ famous aerostatic experiments.
The author explicitly mentions the recent invention of the aerostat balloon and develops his own projects for machines designed to move through air, water, and on land.
The work includes a section titled “Macchina volante per aria,” as well as developments on navigation and land transport.
The book’s scientific interest also lies in the numerous mathematical calculations concerning fluid resistance, speed, ship propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The Introduction speaks to the Enlightenment’s scientific optimism: the author states that man often does not discover certain things simply because he does not search for them, taking as an example the recent conquest of the air.
Old binding with decorated/marbled paper and an old handwritten back label: Uomo volante. Final Errata present. Numerous mathematical formulas and typographic ornaments.
Condition as shown in the photographs, with normal signs of age for a book about 240 years old.
A particularly interesting item for collectors of early aviation, aeronautics, history of science, engineering, transportation, navigation and the Enlightenment.
⸻
Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man – Rare early treatise on human flight and air travel – Venice, 1784
Rare first Venetian edition of:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Anonymous publication, bibliographically attributed to Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
A remarkable early Italian tract devoted to human flight and new systems of locomotion, published in 1784, only one year after the Montgolfier brothers’ famous aerostatic experiments.
The author explicitly mentions the recent invention of the aerostat balloon and develops his own projects for machines intended to move in the air, on water and on land.
The work includes a section titled “Macchina volante per aria,” alongside extensive considerations on water and land transport.
The book’s scientific interest lies in the numerous mathematical calculations regarding fluid resistance, speed, ship propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The work forms a fascinating record of the early history of aviation and the scientific and technological optimism of the Enlightenment.
Antique binding with decorated/marble paper and an old handwritten back label Uomo volante. The final Errata is present. Numerous mathematical formulas and typographic ornaments.
Condition as shown in the photographs, with normal signs of age for a book about 240 years old.
A particularly interesting item for collectors of early aviation, aeronautics, history of science, engineering, shipping and transport history.
Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man for Air, for Water, and for Earth – A rare pioneering treatise on flight – Venice, 1784
Rare first edition in Venetian:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Published anonymously, but bibliographically attributed to Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
A fascinating and remarkably early Italian treatise concerning human flight and mechanical transportation, published in 1784, only one year after the celebrated aerostatic experiments of the Montgolfier brothers.
The author explicitly discusses the recent invention of the aerostatic balloon and develops his own concepts for machines capable of travelling through the air, over water and on land.
The work contains sections devoted to the “Macchina volante per aria” (Flying Machine for the Air) as well as systems for water and terrestrial transportation.
Of particular scientific interest is the extensive mathematical treatment accompanying the proposed inventions, including calculations concerning fluid resistance, velocity, naval propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The Introduction is especially evocative of the scientific optimism of the Enlightenment: the author argues that mankind often fails to discover seemingly impossible things simply because nobody has seriously attempted to find them, citing the recent conquest of the air as his principal example.
The book therefore represents a fascinating document of the extraordinary European enthusiasm for aviation and human flight immediately following the first Montgolfier ascents.
Antique binding, with decorated/marbled paper and old handwritten spine label reading Uomo volante. The final Errata is present. Numerous mathematical formulae, typographical ornaments and decorative headpieces. Privo delle tavole.
Condition as shown in the photographs. Normal signs of age compatible with a volume of about 240 years.
Bibliography: the work is catalogued in the ETH Zürich collections and in important international specialist collections.
Topics: history of aviation, aeronautics, Montgolfier, history of science, engineering, mechanics, hydrodynamics, navigation, Italian Enlightenment.
⸻
Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man – Rare Early Treatise on Human Flight, Aviation and Mechanical Transportation – Venice, 1784
Rare first Venetian edition of:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Published anonymously but bibliographically attributed to Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
A fascinating and remarkably early Italian treatise concerning human flight and mechanical transportation, published in 1784, only one year after the celebrated Montgolfier balloon experiments of 1783.
The author explicitly discusses the recent invention of the aerostatic balloon and develops his own concepts for machines capable of travelling through the air, over water and on land.
The work contains sections devoted to a “Macchina volante per aria” (Flying Machine for the Air) as well as sections on water and terrestrial transportation.
Of particular scientific interest are the extensive mathematical treatment accompanying the proposed inventions, including calculations concerning fluid resistance, velocity, naval propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The Introduction is particularly evocative of the technological optimism of the Enlightenment: the author argues that mankind often fails to discover apparently impossible things simply because nobody has seriously attempted to find them, citing the recent conquest of the air as his principal example.
The book therefore represents a fascinating document of the extraordinary European enthusiasm for aviation and human flight immediately following the first Montgolfier ascents.
Antique binding, with decorated/marbled paper and old handwritten spine label reading Uomo volante. The final Errata is present. Numerous mathematical formulae, typographical ornaments and decorative headpieces.
Condition as shown in the photographs, with normal signs of age compatible with a book approximately 240 years old.
A highly appealing item for collections devoted to early aviation, aeronautics, history of science, engineering, transportation, navigation and Enlightenment technology.
⸻
Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man – Rare precursor treatise on human flight and aviation – Venice, 1784
Rare first Venetian edition of:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Ouvrage publié anonymement, aujourd’hui attribué bibliographiquement à Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
Remarkable Italian treatise devoted to human flight and new systems of locomotion, published in 1784, only a year after the famous aerostatic experiments of the Montgolfier brothers.
The author explicitly discusses the recent invention of the balloon and develops his own plans for machines designed to move through the air, on water and on land.
The work includes a section titled “Macchina volante per aria,” as well as developments devoted to navigation and terrestrial transport.
The work’s scientific interest is also notable: the proposed projects are accompanied by numerous mathematical calculations concerning the resistance of fluids, speed, naval propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The Introduction admirably reflects the scientific optimism of the Enlightenment: the author states that man often does not discover certain things simply because he does not search for them, taking as an example the recent conquest of the air.
Old binding, decorated/marble paper and an old handwritten back inscription: Uomo volante. Final Errata present. Numerous mathematical formulas and typographical ornaments.
Condition as shown in the photographs, with age-related signs consistent with a book about 240 years old.
A piece particularly interesting for a collection devoted to the beginnings of aviation, aeronautics, history of science, engineering, transportation, navigation and the Enlightenment.
⸻
Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man – Rare early treatise on human flight and air travel – Venice, 1784
Rare first Venetian edition of:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Anonymous publication, bibliographically attributed to Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
An extraordinary early Italian tract on human flight and mechanical transportation, published in 1784, only one year after the famed balloon experiments of the Montgolfier brothers.
The author explicitly refers to the recent invention of the aerostatic balloon and develops his own designs for machines meant to move in the air, on water and on land.
The book includes the section “Macchina volante per aria,” along with detailed considerations on water and land transport.
Of particular scientific interest are the numerous mathematical calculations regarding fluid resistance, speed, ship propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The work represents a fascinating document from the early history of aviation and the scientific and technological optimism of the Enlightenment.
Antique binding with decorated/marble paper and an old handwritten spine label Uomo volante. The final Errata is present. Many mathematical formulas and typographic ornaments.
Condition as shown in the photographs, with normal signs of age for a book about 240 years old.
A particularly interesting item for collectors of early aviation, aeronautics, history of science, technology, shipping and transport history.
⸻
Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man – Rare early treatise on human flight and air travel – Venice, 1784
Rare first Venetian edition of:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Anonymous publication, bibliographically attributed to Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
A remarkable early Italian tract devoted to human flight and to the new systems of locomotion, published in 1784, only one year after the Montgolfier brothers’ famous aerostatic experiments.
The author explicitly mentions the recent invention of the balloon and develops his own proposals for machines intended to move through the air, on water and on land.
The work includes a section titled “Macchina volante per aria,” as well as developments on navigation and terrestrial transport.
The book’s scientific interest lies in the numerous mathematical calculations concerning fluid resistance, speed, naval propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The Introduction admirably reflects the Enlightenment’s scientific optimism: the author asserts that man often does not discover certain things simply because he does not search for them, using the recent conquest of the air as his example.
Ancient binding with decorated/marbled paper and an old handwritten back label: Uomo volante. Final Errata present. Numerous mathematical formulas and typographic ornaments.
Condition as shown in the photographs, with age-appropriate signs for a book of about 240 years.
A particularly interesting item for collectors of early aviation, aeronautics, history of science, engineering, transport and navigation history.
⸻
Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man – Rare Early Treatise on Human Flight and Aviation – Venice, 1784
Rare first Venetian edition of:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Anonymous publication, bibliographically attributed to Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
An extraordinary early Italian tract devoted to human flight and new systems of locomotion, published in 1784, only one year after the Montgolfier brothers’ famous aerostatic experiments.
The author explicitly mentions the recent invention of the aerostat balloon and develops his own projects for machines designed to move through air, water, and on land.
The work includes a section titled “Macchina volante per aria,” as well as developments on navigation and land transport.
The book’s scientific interest also lies in the numerous mathematical calculations concerning fluid resistance, speed, ship propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The Introduction speaks to the Enlightenment’s scientific optimism: the author states that man often does not discover certain things simply because he does not search for them, taking as an example the recent conquest of the air.
Old binding with decorated/marbled paper and an old handwritten back label: Uomo volante. Final Errata present. Numerous mathematical formulas and typographic ornaments.
Condition as shown in the photographs, with normal signs of age for a book about 240 years old.
A particularly interesting item for collectors of early aviation, aeronautics, history of science, engineering, transportation, navigation and the Enlightenment.
⸻
Carlo Bettoni – The Flying Man – Rare early treatise on human flight and air travel – Venice, 1784
Rare first Venetian edition of:
L’Uomo Volante per Aria, per Acqua, e per Terra. Novissima invenzione di un Anonimo Italiano dell’anno 1784.
Venice, Presso l’Amico dell’Autore, 1784.
Anonymous publication, bibliographically attributed to Carlo Bettoni (1735–1786).
A remarkable early Italian tract devoted to human flight and new systems of locomotion, published in 1784, only one year after the Montgolfier brothers’ famous aerostatic experiments.
The author explicitly mentions the recent invention of the aerostat balloon and develops his own projects for machines intended to move in the air, on water and on land.
The work includes a section titled “Macchina volante per aria,” alongside extensive considerations on water and land transport.
The book’s scientific interest lies in the numerous mathematical calculations regarding fluid resistance, speed, ship propulsion and the mechanical action of oars.
The work forms a fascinating record of the early history of aviation and the scientific and technological optimism of the Enlightenment.
Antique binding with decorated/marble paper and an old handwritten back label Uomo volante. The final Errata is present. Numerous mathematical formulas and typographic ornaments.
Condition as shown in the photographs, with normal signs of age for a book about 240 years old.
A particularly interesting item for collectors of early aviation, aeronautics, history of science, engineering, shipping and transport history.
Details
Number of books
1
Subject
Mathematics, Science, Ships and seafaring
Book title
L'uomo volante
Author/ Illustrator
Bettoni
Condition
Very good
Publication year oldest item
1784
Edition
1st Edition
Language
Italian
Original language
Yes
Binding/ Material
Mix / Multiple
Number of pages
88
