M. Smith - Traité d'Optique - 1767

SCIENCE OF LIGHT: IN 67 PLATES THE GREAT OPTICS OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT
One of the great scientific treatises of the eighteenth century dedicated to the nature of light, image formation, and the construction of optical instruments. Published in 1767, this monumental volume presents the first French translation, considerably enlarged, of the celebrated treatise by Robert Smith, professor at Cambridge. The work brings together experimental physics, geometry, astronomy, and the technology of scientific instruments. The 67 folded plates illustrate lens systems, telescopes, microscopes, mirrors, and complex refraction phenomena. An important specimen in an elegant eighteenth-century full calf binding decorated in gold.

ABSTRACT
Expanded first French edition of Robert Smith’s fundamental treatise on optics, originally published in English in 1738. Translated and enriched by Nicolas Duval-Leroy, the work constitutes one of the most important eighteenth-century presentations of geometrical and experimental optics. The text comprises 739 pages numbered, preliminaries, and 67 folded engraved plates, dedicated to light propagation, lenses, mirrors, and the construction of optical instruments. The exemplar is preserved in a fine contemporary binding in marbled calfskin, with a richly ornamented spine and blue marbled edges.

WHY TO BUY\
First French edition of 1767, substantially enlarged compared to the original English edition of 1738.\
67 large folded scientific plates, with hundreds of figures, diagrams, and optical instruments.\
A fundamental work for the history of optics, experimental physics, and astronomy.\
Elegant original eighteenth-century binding with gilded decorations and marbled edges.

MARKET VALUE\
Indicative market value: €1,400–1,800. The expanded first French edition, the scientific iconographic apparatus, and the contemporary binding constitute the main factors of appreciation.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION\
A large quarto volume, in original eighteenth-century full calf binding. Five-grooved spine with rich gold-impressed floral borders, green morocco label with gilded title, triple gilt border on the boards with ermine corner ornaments, double rules at the board edges, gilt fillets around inner dentelles, and blue marbled edges. Collation: XIII preliminary pages, [3] unnumbered pages, 739 numbered pages, [3] final unnumbered pages. Total: 758 pages, equivalent to 379 leaves, excluding the 67 folded plates. Illustrative apparatus: 67 folded plates outside the text, with geometric diagrams, optical instruments, lenses, microscopes, and telescopes. Present is a blue stamp with motto “Prodesse quam conspici.” Normal signs of wear from time.

FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR\
Traité d'optique, par M. Smith, Professeur d'Astronomie & de Philosophie expérimentale à Cambridge, traduit de l'Anglais et considérablement augmenté. Brest, Chez Romain Malassis, Imprimeur ordinaire du Roi & de la Marine; et se trouve à Paris, Chez Durand, Libraire, Rue Saint Jacques, à la Sagesse, M. DCC. LXVII. Avec approbation et privilège du Roi.
Traduzione e ampliamenti attribuiti a Nicolas Duval-Leroy.
Robert Smith (1689–1768).

THE STORY\
In the eighteenth century optics represented one of the most advanced frontiers of the scientific revolution. Understanding light propagation meant explaining how the eye works, refining astronomical telescopes, building more precise microscopes, and developing instruments capable of extending the limits of human observation. Robert Smith tackled these problems through a rigorous system of geometric demonstrations, experimental observations, and practical applications. The 1767 French translation made this work available to the continental scientific public, enriching it with new content. The folded plates transform the volume into a true atlas of the science of light: reflected and refracted rays, curved surfaces, lens systems, and complex mechanical devices are depicted with great precision.

THE AUTHOR\
Robert Smith (1689–1768) was an English mathematician, astronomer, and scholar, professor of astronomy and experimental philosophy at the University of Cambridge and Master of Trinity College. His scientific activity sits within the Newtonian tradition, characterized by using mathematics and experiment to explain natural phenomena. His treatise on optics, published originally in 1738, became a reference work for the study of light properties and for the design of optical instruments. Smith also worked on acoustics and music theory, contributing to the spread of a mathematical approach to the physical sciences.

THE PRINTING\
The first English edition, titled A Compleat System of Opticks, appeared at Cambridge in 1738. The present 1767 edition constitutes the first French translation, substantially enlarged and published in Brest by Romain Malassis, royal and naval printer, with Paris distribution at Durand. The choice of Brest, an important French maritime and military hub, adds particular interest to the publication of a work that also dealt with observation, measurement, and scientific applications. The text is organized into three large parts: exposition of optical principles; geometric and mathematical treatment of light phenomena; working of lenses and mirrors for telescopes and description of optical instruments. The 67 folded plates are an essential component of the edition, offering a figurative repertoire of great historical and technical value.

RARITY\
Expanded first French edition of a classic of eighteenth-century scientific literature. Collecting interest lies in the combination of the author’s importance, the breadth of the illustrative apparatus, and the quality of the original binding. The numerous folded plates make verifying completeness particularly important, as ancient illustrated scientific treatises can suffer losses or damage to the large engravings. The commercial rarity of this specific exemplar cannot be quantified without further bibliographic and market corroboration.

BIBLIOGRAPHY\
ESTC, original English edition of 1738; Poggendorff, Biographisch-literarisches Handwörterbuch zur Geschichte der exacten Wissenschaften, entry Smith; Dictionary of Scientific Biography, entry Robert Smith; Bibliothèque nationale de France, Catalogue général, French edition of 1767.

PERCHÉ ABBIAMO SCELTO QUEST'OPERA\
We selected this volume because it represents an extraordinary testimony of Enlightenment experimental science. The 67 scientific plates, the monumental mathematical exposition, and the refined eighteenth-century binding confer the work a charm that goes beyond bibliographic interest alone. It is a book that tells the moment in history when light became an object of measurement, calculation, and technological application. A specimen of particular appeal to collectors of the history of science, astronomy, physics, optical instruments, and great illustrated books of the eighteenth century.

In old books, with a multisecular history, there may be some imperfections, not always noted in the description.

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