First Edition on Water Hydraulics

Paris: Rue S. Jaques, Chez Charles-Antoine-Jombert, Libraire de l’Artillerie, & du Génie, à l’Image Notre-Dame. MDCC XXXVII [1737]. In French. 275 × 210 mm (11 × 8 in.) 4to. 4 p.l., XI, [5], 412 pp. (pages 389–404 read as ​“289–304”.)  Engraved frontispiece, title page printed in red and black, woodcut device on title page, engraved vignette and engraved historiated initial on 2nd p.l., woodcut vignette on page [5], large engraved headpiece on p. 1, large engraved headpiece on p. 277, 45 folding engraved plates. About very good. Contemporary mottled calf, spine in six compartments, raised bands, four compartments ornately gilt, 2 red Morocco spine labels, spine worn and cracking at hinges, small piece of spine detached (but present), edges of boards rubbed, red edges, marbled endpapers, early bookseller’s description mounted onto upper pastedown, contemporary stamp of ​“Capt*Higgens*” appears occasionally, black ex libris stamp of ​“Juc. Jan Polívka” on recto of front free endpaper, internally fresh and crisp, folding engraved plates in excellent condition.

First Edition of the first volume (of four) of Bernard Foret de Bélidor’s highly influential work on the principles of mechanics and hydraulics. The volumes were released 1737–1753.

In the first part of this volume Bélidor carefully explicates these concepts, starting with the general principles of mechanics; the properties of wheels and pulleys and other such conductors of movement; the rule of movement and the impact of bodies; accelerated movement; and friction and how to calculate its effect on machines. He then goes on to describe how water moves when it is enveloped by either vertical or inclined surfaces and how it flows through either rectilinear or vertical conduits.

In the second part of this volume Bélidor uses the basic workings of a grain mill to inform more sophisticated machinery such as machines powered by water that can saw wood, make cannon powder, and grind cement.

With a lovely, engraved frontispiece depicting a pump house containing the machinery to raise the water supply for fountains and canals in a landscape garden as well as one large engraved headpiece at the beginning of both sections, all by Rigaud. Also included are forty-five intricately drawn folding engraved plates illustrating each concept presented by the author.

Bernard Foret de Bélidor (1698–1761) was a mathematician who became recognized by the Duc d’Orleans and was thus employed as the professor of mathematics at the new artillery school at La Fère. He was a prolific writer and his ​“work unexpectedly ushered in a new science of mechanical engineering unknown at the time of the first editions of Architecture Hydraulique and La science des Ingénieurs. His practical ideas and solid engineering expertise influenced the preceding two generations of scientists who became mechanical engineers after him.” (Encyclopedia.com)

With the ownership stamp appearing occasionally of ​“Captain Higgens” as well as the ex libris stamp of Jan Polívka. From the library of Jaroslav Polívka.

Bibliography: Brunet I, 740; Graesse I, 324; Ornamentstichsammlung Berlin 3555; Poggendorf I, 138.