Sir Thomas Maclear - Verification and Extension of La Caille’s Arc of Meridian at The Cape of Good Hope - 1866

Scarce and a very important work in astronomy for which the author earned the Lalande Prize in 1867 and the Royal Medal of the Royal Society in 1869.j

Verification and Extension of La Caille’s Arc of Meridian at The Cape of Good Hope by Sir Thomas Maclear, Astronomer Royal at the Cape of Good Hope. In two volumes.

1866 First Edition, Published by order of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

pp: Vol I: [6 ], [2 errata], 625; Vol II: , [4], 440, [1 errata & addenda];

24 plates, eight are lithographs, some text diagrams.

Borderline quarto/folio (300mm X 250mm) volume in original publisher’s grey cloth on thin boards, paper spine labels, and rough-cut edges for Vol I (Vol II has a larger block, yet has smooth edges).

Condition is Good overall: outwardly worn, yet sturdy with decent and complete blocks. Bindings show fraying to extremities, partially split outer hinges, remnants of spine labels, and some loss to fore-edge of vol I. Yet despite these both volumes remain sturdy with nothing loose or wobbly. Also there are no splits to any of the inner hinges. In Vol I leaves are generally age-goldened, yet are clean and clear and without any spots of foxing, etc, although initial three leaves of front matter and six leaves in last section are quite heavily age-toned. All plates present - plates on thicker paper show a little foxing, nothing affecting any detail, while the plates on thinner paper reflect the same age-toning as the leaves of text they lie between. Condition of leaves in Vol II similar to Vol I - main difference is that in vol II there is foxing to front and rear-most leaves, as well as the infrequent isolated spot here-and-there in between.

Please note: this is a heavy item - weight including sturdy packaging: 4.5-5.1kg

Please also note: fully insured delivery in sturdy packaging that does actually protect the contents.