Pierre de Polinière - Expériences de Physique - 1741

POLINIÈRE (Pierre)
Experiences of physics, by M. Pierre Polinière, Doctor of Medicine, & of the Society of the Arts. Fifth edition; revised, corrected, and augmented from the Author's Manuscripts. Volume One.
In Paris, Rue Saint-Jacques, at Clouzier, Bordelet, David Fils, and Ganeau, 1741.

Volume in-12 (approximately 17 x 10 cm) bound in full brown calf of the period, spine with raised bands richly ornamented with golden toolwork, title-piece in brown morocco, red edges, endpapers marbled.

The illustration includes a magnificent copper-engraved vignette on the title depicting a table of scientific instruments (globes, tubes, mirrors and compasses) as well as superb fold-out plates engraved illustrating the mechanical, pneumatic and optical experiments. The interior is complete with its plates and well preserved.

Copy firmly bound showing slight rubbing and wear at the headpieces but overall excellent condition with a very fine patina. Wear and losses at the corners and at the spine-ends. A black stain on the second cover. Rubs.

Pierre Polinière was the very first to give public courses of experimental physics in Paris under the reign of Louis XIV, fascinating the court and scholars by exhibiting electricity and vacuum before the astonished spectators.