Christiaan Huygens - Œuvres complètes, publiées par la Société Hollandaise des Sciences. Tome quatrième: Correspondance. - 1891

Christiaan Huygens (1629–1695)

Complete works of Christiaan Huygens, published by the Dutch Society of Sciences. Volume Four: Correspondence 1662–1663. The Hague, Martinus Nijhoff, 1891.

First edition of the fourth volume of the monumental collection of the complete works of Christiaan Huygens, one of the greatest mathematicians, physicists and astronomers of the 17th century.

Large-format volume, 29 × 23 cm, 587 pages numbered, in addition to preliminary leaves and folded plates. Weight 2,100 g.

Scientific content

The volume collects Huygens' scientific correspondence for the years 1662–1663, with letters and documents numbered from No. 948 to No. 1197.
Among the topics covered are:
Mathematics, geometry and the study of the cycloid.
Horology, pendulum and measurement of time.
Optics, refraction of light and astronomy.
Studies on the atmosphere and on vacuum.
Problems of mechanics and naval construction.
Observations on the planet Saturn.
It includes correspondence and scientific discussions involving, among others, Pierre de Fermat, Christopher Wren, William Brouncker, Robert Moray and Thomas Hobbes.

Numerous scientific, mathematical and mechanical figures in the text, with folded plates also inserted.

Of particular interest is a large folding plate relating to a naval construction and a folded panoramic view of the residence of Constantijn Huygens and his gardens.

Special features of the copy

Copy with deckle edges and untrimmed margins, with numerous leaves still unopened at the top margin.

Preserves the original publisher's wrappers with titles printed in black and red, in addition to a later protective cover.
Accompanied by the complimentary card of the Société Hollandaise des Sciences, intended for a foreign member of the Society, and by the pre-stamped official circular of the perpetual secretary J. Bosscha, dated Haarlem, November 1891.
This is therefore an institutional distribution copy, with editorial documentation of particular interest.

Condition report

Internals generally well preserved, with sturdy paper, wide margins and occasional mild foxing and yellowing.
Copy with deckle edges and untrimmed, with numerous fascicles still unopened.
The original publisher's wrappers are heavily browned and show significant gaps, tears and marginal deterioration. The original front cover is detached. A later protective cover and loose preliminary leaves are present.
The folded plates photographed are present and substantially well preserved, with creases and signs of aging.
The pagination ends regularly at page 587, with the Additions and Corrections section. Supplements and indices are present.
A full check of all the fasciculi and plates has not been completed, also to preserve the untrimmed leaves.

Careful examination of the photographs is recommended, as they are an integral part of the description and document the actual state of the specimen.

A work of interest for collectors of the history of science, mathematics, physics, astronomy and the history of horology.