DALENC, Joachim Traitt de l'aimant. Divis en deux parties. La prmire contient les expriences; & la seconde les raisons que l'on on peut rendre. Amsterdam, Henry Wetstein, 1687 1687
8vo (158 x 90 mm), pp [xx, including frontispiece] 140 [8] with engraved frontispiece and 33 engraved plates; a fine copy in contemporary calf, spine a bit rubbed. 1800
First edition of Dalenc's finely illustrated treatise on the magnet, coversing such topics as the invention of the compass, the magnetic mountains of America, declination, disproval of magnetic suspension of Mahomet's coffin, fallacy of magnetic unguents, orientation of compass needles in a magnetic field, etc (summarised from Wheeler Gilt catalogue). The work is distinguished by very fine engraved plates by Adriaan Schoonebeek (1658-1705), a student of Romeyn de Hooghe. Various experimental demonstrations, scientific apparatus, and diagrams are placed above or against a backdrop of landscape or architectural scenes, or even in one case a depiction of a battle, creating a rather surreal effect.
Dalenc (ca 1640-1707) published the Connaissance des temps, one of the first scientific ephemerides. He was a friend and correspondent of Henry Oldenburg and a correspondant with Huygens and Leibniz.
Hofer p 142; Wheeler Gift 200
1800
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