Elemens de Physique, ou introduction à la Philosophie de Newton.

2 volumes in 2 octavo books: I/ (4) leaves, IV and 356 pp., 25 folding plates; II/ (1) leaf, IV, 478 pp., (4) pp. and 25 folding plates.

Red morocco, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, gilt stamped coat of arms in the center, spine with raised bands richly decorated and fleur-de-lis, gilt fillet on edges, gilt inner roll, gilt edges over marbling, 1 browned quire. Contemporary binding.

195 X 125 mm.

[Newton]. Gravesande, Willem Jacob’s. Elements of Physics, or Introduction to the Philosophy of Newton.

Paris, Charles-Antoine Jombert, 1747.

Rare first French edition of this important work devoted to Newton’s theories.

It is adorned with 50 folding plates.

The first edition, in Latin, appeared in 1723.

Dutch jurist and diplomat, Willem Gravesande (1688-1742) contributed to the introduction of Newton’s theories and of the experimental method.

“In 1717, Gravesande was appointed professor of mathematics and astronomy, probably on the recommendation of Newton himself. Gravesande had traveled to England in 1715 as secretary of legation during the accession of George I. He took advantage of this stay to become acquainted with Newton. When, shortly after his return to the Republic, a professorship became vacant, Newton advocated for him. As a professor at Leiden, Gravesande became a champion of Newton’s ideas there.

The influence of Gravesande can hardly be overestimated. In fact, only accomplished mathematicians were able to read Newton’s Principia. Gravesande set about adapting the Principia so that a wider audience, though still learned, could become acquainted with it.

The method proved very instructive and popular, and the manual Mathematical Principles of Physics, Confirmed by Experiments. Or Introduction to Newton’s Natural Philosophy, which Gravesande published, went through many editions and was translated into many languages. On the strength of his books, Gravesande became, on a European level, an authority in the field of Newtonianism. When, in the 1730s, Voltaire was preparing a book on Newton’s Principia, he went to Leiden to sit at the feet of Gravesande” (K. Van Berkel).

“Madame de Pompadour was apparently taken with Newton: in her library were Voltaire’s collected works which contained the Elements and a copy of Francesco Algarotti’s Il Newtonianisme pour les dames, one of the major popularizing scientific works geared to women, whose author “Newtonized” with du Châtelet and Voltaire” (E. Goodman).

Magnificent copy preserved in its contemporary red morocco binding bearing the arms of Charles-François-Paul Le Normand de Tournehem, protector of Madame de Pompadour.

Financier and tax farmer, Charles-François-Paul Le Normand de Tournehem (1684-1751), was the protector of the Marquise de Pompadour. (Guigard, II, 311).

He was probably the biological father of the future Marquise de Pompadour. He became her legal guardian in 1725, raised her with care and married her in 1741 to his nephew, Charles-Guillaume Le Normant d'Étiolles.