Florian Dalham - Institutiones Physicae - 1752-1755

A complete three-volume set of this substantial 18th-century Latin work on mathematics, physics, physical geography and astronomy, written by the Piarist scholar Florian Dalham.

The work was designed for advanced students and combines mathematical foundations with the study of the physical world. It is an interesting example of scientific education in the Habsburg Monarchy during the reign of Maria Theresa.

Contents and pagination

Volume I – 1752

Institutiones Mathematicas, nempe Arithmeticam, Geometriam et Trigonometriam complectens.

Treatise on mathematics, covering arithmetic, geometry and trigonometry.

Extent: [12] preliminary pages + 352 pages, with 15 folding plates.

Volume II – 1753

Primam Physicae Partem: De Corporibus & Elementis, eorumque Proprietatibus complectens.

The first part of the physics course, dealing with bodies, elements and their properties.

Extent: 492 numbered pages + [10] pages of index. + 24 folding plates.

Volume III – 1755

In quo agitur de Geographia Physica, & de Rebus Coelestibus.

Treatise on physical geography and celestial phenomena.

Extent: [4] preliminary pages + 296 pages + [8] final pages + 14 folding plats.

A total of 53 folding engraved plates across the three volumes.

Dimension together: 22,5 x 18 x 12 cm

Binding and condition

The set retains its historic leather bindings, with richly gilt-decorated spines, raised bands and gilt lettering on the spine labels. The page edges are coloured red, and the volumes have decorative marbled endpapers.

The bindings show considerable age-related wear. The spines have been repaired, and the repairs and areas of deterioration remain visible, particularly on the second and third volumes. The leather is rubbed, worn and damaged in places, with losses to the surface and gilt decoration. The boards also show signs of age and wear.

The interior pages show age toning, occasional staining and creasing. The books remain attractive examples of 18th-century scientific publishing and historical bookbinding.

The set is offered as a three-volume collection. Please examine the photographs carefully for the precise condition of the bindings and text blocks.

An appealing set for collectors of antique scientific books, the history of physics and mathematics, astronomy, physical geography, and early modern Central European scholarship.

The blank versos of the title pages show subtle traces of what appears to be adhesive or scraping. The first two leaves of the index in Volume III have small holes. These defects are visible on inspection and are reflected in the condition of the books.