Giovanni Battista Caracciolo (1695–1765) - Geometria Algebrica Universa quantitatum finitarum, et infinite minimarum. Tomi duo - 1759

Important eighteenth-century mathematical treatise by Giovanni Battista Caracciolo, professor of arithmetic, algebra, optics and catotmetry at the Accademia di Pisa.

The work, published in Rome in 1759 in two volumes, systematically addresses algebra, analytic geometry and infinitesimal calculus. The first volume is devoted to the algebraic geometry of finite quantities, to equations and to the resolution of geometric problems. The second volume deals with differential and integral calculus and includes, in the concluding part, the Commentarius de curva cochlea, dedicated to the study of a particular mathematical curve.
An interesting work for the history of mathematics of the eighteenth century, enriched by numerous geometric figures and by a set of folded engraved plates.
The Roman edition of 1759 of Giovanni Battista Caracciolo’s Geometria Algebraica is documented in the catalog of the Christ’s College Library, University of Cambridge, which records the work in two volumes, with shelf marks Y.10.5–6.
The work is also cited by the historian of mathematics Florian Cajori in his study William Oughtred, with reference to page 79 of the 1759 edition.
These references attest to the presence of the work in academic collections and in the literature devoted to the history of mathematics.

It is an interesting testimony to eighteenth-century mathematics, devoted to algebraic geometry and infinitesimal calculus, preserved here in two volumes with all 18 folded plates.

Collation

Volume I: 389 numbered pages, plus unnumbered preliminaries and errata pages. 7 folded plates present, numbered I–VII.

Volume II: 289 numbered pages, plus unnumbered preliminaries. 11 folded plates present, comprising plates I–X and the concluding plate Tab. Ultima, relating to the Commentarius de curva cochlea.

Total: 678 numbered pages and 18 folded plates, in addition to preliminaries and unnumbered pages.

The signatures of the gatherings have been checked and are complete. All 18 plates foreseen are present.

Conservation state

Good copy in two volumes, preserved in uniform bindings in full period calfskin. Spines with gilded titles and numbering labels. Normal signs of wear to the bindings, with slight abrasions, stains and minor irregularities at the edges.

Internally, paper generally well preserved and text clear. Scattered foxing, light browning and stains of time, more evident on some leaves.

The 18 folded plates are present and legible, with folds and normal signs of time.

The description of the state refers to the examination performed and to the photographic documentation. The photographs form an integral part of the description.