HUYGENS, CHRISTIAAN
TRAITE DE LA LUMIERE
Ou sont expliquees Les causes de ce qui luy arrive dans la Reflexion, & dans
la Refraction. Et particulierement dans Tetrange Refraction du cristal
d'lslande
• e
Diagrams o Marbled boards with brown calf backstrip.
Leyden: Pierre van der Aa,
1690
First Edition o Although composed in 1678, this treatise was not published
until 1690. It contains the "principle of HuygensM ,dealing with the wave theory of
light, and it also advances the principles of polarization. Appended to this great
essay is Huygens* Discour de la cause de la pesanteur". (Gravity)
This fine copy collates: *4 A-P Q3 (R) 4 S T-Aa4; There is a slight marginal
repair at the bottom of leaf P4, With an ownership stamp on the title-page,
a signature (1870) on a fly-leaf, and with the Josiah Kirby Lilly bookplate.
Purchased
Novembers, 1962
Par ke-Ber net Galleries
MHH.HH
No. 196
HUYGENS. Traite de la lumiere. Ou sont expliquees Les causes de ce qui luy
arrive Dans la reflexion, & dans la refraction. Et particulierement Dans 1'etrange
refraction du cristal d'lslande. Par C.H.D.Z. Avec un Discours de la Cause
de la pesanteur. With two prefaces, and a list of errata. Illustrated with
64 geometric drawings, some of them repeated. [I-VIII], 1 - 124, [I-II],
125 -128 , [I-II], 129 - 180 pages; size 16.3 x 20 cm. Title page of "Traite 11
printed in black and red; head-pieces and decorative initials; printer's
device on title pages of "Traite" and of "Discours", Vellum, stained edges.
Leyden:
Pier re van der Aa
1690.
First Edition
When the French Academie des Sciences was formally established, Christiaan Huygens
(1629 « 95) the Dutch astronomer, mathematician and physicist was invited to become a
member of the new organization. He settled in Paris, and there he concentrated on the
research which provided a scientific foundation for the wave theory of light. The Traite
de la lumiere, reporting this work, is not a well-organized book. The observations and
experiments on which the most important theory of light propagation is based, are given
in a non-systematized, often fragmentary, form. According to Huygens, minute particles
of luminous bodies and impulses to adjoining particles of all-permeating ether which have
elastic properties. Acting in accordance with the behavior or elastic bodies, which was
carefully studied by Huygens, these ether elements, while they remain immobile, transmit
the impact to others. The spherical wavelets so created result in the formation of a wave
front. Each point of this wave front originates secondary waves. By developing this concept, Huygens was able to explain the rectilinear propagation of light, as well as the phe*»
nomena of reflection and ordinary refraction.
The longest chapter of the Traite de la lumiere deals with the "double refraction" in crystals
of calcium carbonate from Iceland ("Iceland spar"). The analysis of this phenomenon,
discovered by Erasmus Bartholinus in 1670, and the ingenious application to it of the
wave theory, are among the finest examples of scientific inquiry.
The corpuscular theory of light, which was accepted by Huygens 1 great contemporary,
Isaac Newton, and which assumed the emission of particles by luminous bodies, was distinctly inadequate as compared with the theory of the Dutch physicist. Nevertheless, it
dominated the field of optics until the early part of the XlXth century when it was super*
seded through the efforts of Thomas Young and of Augustin Fresnel, by the wave theory.
The latter has been used since then widely and fruitfully, though not without reservations.
The quantum theory of the XXth century effected the fusion, in a mathematical sense, of
the corpuscular and undulatory concepts.
T R A I T E-
DE LA LVMIERE.
Ou font expliquees
Les caufes tie ce qul luy arrive
Dans la REFLEXION, & Jan; U
REFRACTION.
Et particulierement
Dans L'etrange REFRACTION
DV CRISTAL DISLANDE,
Par C. H. D. Z.
DE
Avec un THfconrs die la Catt/e
LA PESANTEVR.
A
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Chcz PIE R R E v A N D z * A A , Marchand LibraLrc,
M D C X C.
P^OP. VICTOR OOLDPCmUDT
iSo
DISCOURS DE LA CAUSE &c.
Et d'icy il eft aife de verifier la Quadrature de I'Hypcrbolc
quej'ay donnee dans le Traite de I'Evolution desLlgnes Courbe5, qui eft dans mon Horologntm Ofcillatorium.
F I AT.
Fautes a corriger an Traitt'de lit Lumicre.
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Pt^. 117. L6./^ j'»(Tcmb!e:ont. r*£ in.1. i^.pour o \ A/. F v.
^f« 'Di/cours de U canft de la Tefanteur.
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KINDLY
READ
CONDITIONS
OF
SALK
IN
FOREPART
OF
CATALOGUE
79. HOUSMAN, A. E. U0 lli
ou lluil from iliy mansion. . .
." 2-page leaflet, 12mo.
With one Ms. correction and
one Ms. addition, in the hand
of Housman's sister,
Mrs. Symons.
[Cambridge: Privately Printed]
4 May 1936
FIRST ISSUE of the leaflet printed
for Housm
an's funeral services, containin
in print of the hymn which he
g the first appearance
had prepared for use upon this
occasion. It was later collected
More Poans (No. xv).
in
Throughout his life Housman,
both as poet and Latinist. was
impatient with printers' errors
his copy. Ironically, the same dif
in
ficulty followed him literally to
the grave in the present leaflet
source of the Lesson is given wr
the
ongly as "Ecclesiasticus" instead
corrected this, and inserted by
of
Ec
cle
sia
ste
s.
M
rs.
Symons has
care
Carter and Sparrow 40; the first t in the obit the day of the week on which he died.
copy to appear at public sale in
this country.
A FUNDAMENTAL BOOK IN TH
E HISTORY OF OPTICS
80. HUYGENS, CHRISTIAAN
. Traite de la Lumiere. Ou so
nt expliquees Les causes
de ce <jui luy arrive Dans la
Reflexion, & dans la Refractio
n. Et particulierement
dans Felrange Refraction dv
cristal d'lslande. . . . Diagram
s. Marbled boards with
brown call backstrip.
IA-\ ucn: Pierre van der Aa. 16
FIRST EDITION. Although compos
90
IK"".
f)
':
«
ed in 1678, this treatise wris m»
t published until 1690. It conta
the "principle of Huygens," de
aling with the wave theory of
light, and it also advances^ the ins
ciples of polarization. Appended
printo this great essay is Huygen
pesantenr."
s' "Discours de la cause de
la
This fine copy collates: ** A-P4
Q2 [R]4 S2 T-Aa*; there is a sli
of leaf P4. With an ownership
ght marginal repair at the botto
stamp on the title-page, a signa
m
ture (1870) on a fly-leaf, and
the Jo si ah Kirby Lilly bookplate
with
.
4to. Contemp. vellum. With exlibris and autograph inscription on title, and
stamped exlibris of Hieronymus Tusch on verso of title.
The Hague, Adrian Vlacq, 1659.
First edition. A presentation copy of Chr. Huygens' fundamental work on Saturn announcing the discovery of the rings and of its first satellite. The inscription on the title,
in Huygens' hand, reads: "Clarissimo Viro Do. Athan. Kirchero D. D. auctor". The appearance of "arms" around Saturn had perplexed astronomers since Galileo. Combining his own telescopic observations of Saturn and the period of its satellite Titan along
with the vortex theory developed by Descartes, Huygens was able to prove that the
"arms" must take the form of a ring. The "Systema" also contains many observations
of the other planets and their satellites, all contributing to a defense of the Copernican
theory. - Dibner, Heralds. 9; Hook/Norman 1136; cf. Bruno, Tradition of Science (1987), pp.
38-39. Not in Houzeau/Lancaster.
John Locke's Copy - Huygens' Response to Newton's "Principia"
(-III.).
M76. yWUYGENS, Christian. Traite de la Lumiere. Title printed in red and black,
/ with woodcut text diagrams. (8), 124, (2) pp., pp. 125-128, (2) pp., pp. 129180. 4to (c. 255 x 220 mm). Orig. boards, uncut (spine lacking, upper cover
detached). In a half-morocco drop-box. From the libraries of John Locke, with
his ownership inscription "ex dono dociissimi authoris" and his characteristic
marks; of Peter King (1669-1734), grandson of Locke's uncle and inheritor of
part of his library: and of the Earls of Lovelace, descendants of King.
Leiden, Pierre vander Aa, 1690.
First edition. One of the very rare large paper copies, entirely uncut as issued, of Chr.
Huygens' classic on light, given by the author to the great English philosopher John
^ocke. Huygens met Locke during his visit to England in 1689, and subsequently
regretted that he did not get to know him better. He speaks highly of Locke's "Essay on
Human Understanding" of which Locke sent him a copy soon after publication. Isaac
Newton's own copy of the present work is also a large paper copy (now at Trinity College, Cambridge) given him by the author.
The "Traite de la Lumiere" can be seen as Huygens' answer to Newton's "Principia".
setting up the Cartesian-mechanistic philosophy in opposition to the mathematical
philosophy of Newton. "The wave theory of light and its application to the refraction
that occurs in Iceland spar are an effective mechanistic explanation of natural phenomena, equal in mathematical sophistication and elegance to Newton's explanation of the
motion of the planets. Huygens1 explanation of gravity dealt with fundamental problems that Newton avoided and left unsolved. Finally, Huygens' treatment of motion in
resisting media proved that he could achieve the same results as Newton in this
difficult subject although with different methods" (DSB VI, 609). The power of Chr.
Huygens' work can be easily seen in Newtons "Opticks" of 1704 which takes a more
clearly mechanistic approach to explanation.
Apart from John Locke's autograph inscription on the front pastedown, we find other
characteristic marks of ownership in the book: his press mark with the figures 11/8 on
the front pastedown, underlining of the last two digits of the date on the title page and
overlining the final pagination number. As the book was a gift, we do not find any tiny
-65-
First Day
64
Monday, 12th July, 1965
274 Huygens (Christian) Astroscopi^ compendiaria
tubi optici molimine
liberata, 8 IL, folding engraving, dampstains, boards,
calf spine
4/0 The, Hague, A. Leers, 1684
•
*** The invention of a telescope without tube by Hu
ygens.
275
HUYGL7NS (ClIRISTrAN) TRAITfi DE LA LUM
I^RE . . . AVEC UN DISCOURS DE
DE LA wiS
LA CAUSE
ANTEUR, FIRST EDITION, LARGE PAPER, title in red and
black,
device on title, diagrams In text, new mottled calf gilt
[Grolier 54]
4/0 (205mm. by 165mm.) Leiden, Pierre van der Aa,
1690
*** Very rare on large paper. Issue without autho
r's name on title, only
initials.
276 HUYGENS (CHRISTIAN) TRAIT£ DE LA LUMI&RE
DE LA CAUSE DE LA PESANTEUR, FIRST EDITION, title in red ... AVEC UN DISCOURS
diagrams in text, some stains and discolourations, calf, and black, device on title,
rebacked
4to Leiden, Pierre van der Aa, 1690
r
*** The rare issue with the full name of the author
on the title.
277 [HUYGENS (CHRISTIAN) AND JOHN ARBUTHNOT]
OF THE LAWS OF CHANCE
or the methods of calculation of the hazards of
(A-E12, but lacks E\2, presumably blank), a few heagame plainly demonstrated
half calf, rubbed [Wing A3602 records three copies, nondlines shaved, a few stains,
e in America]
I2mo Benj. Mottefor Randall Taylor, 1692
*
%* Pp. 1-48 contain Huygens's treatise, the remain
der the problems of
Arbuthnot, who also translated Huygens's work.
278 Huygens (Christian) Opuscula postuma quae
continent dioptricam,
.commentarios de vitris figurandis tractatum de motu
black with vignette, 24 folding plates, contemporary pa etc., title printed in red and
nelled calf, spine gilt
.
4/0 Leiden, 1703
i,^
UNCUT COPY OF A CLASSIC
62 Huygens, Christian. Horologium Oscillatorium sive de Motu Pendulorum ad
Horologia aptato demonstrationes geometricae.
Paris, Francois Muguet, 1673
Folio (343 x 220 mm.). [14], 161, [i] pp., uncut (signatures L and M bound in reverse order).
Numerous woodcut text diagrams. Original flexible boards (backstrip frayed), in a half-morocco case.
From the library of Antoine Calaton, with his signature dated 18 September 1888.
First edition. A superb, uncut copy of Huygens's greatest work, the results of his theoretical studies after the invention of the pendulum clock in 1658. This work stands as a symbol of the strength
of the mathematical approach to the investigation of nature, discussing centrifugal force (and its similarity to the force of gravity), the tautochronism of the cycloid (as the ideal design for the clock pendulum), the theory of evolutes (the effect of a curved anchor of a pendulum on the pendulum's
swing), the center of oscillation (or the effect of lengthening the pendulum on its swing), and the
influential theory of conatus (or tendency to motion, i.e. the inertial principle in an earlier form).
Newton, in his own Principia acknowledges his great debt to Huygcns both in content and procedure.
Horblit 53; Dibdin, Heralds no. 145; PMM 154.
PRESENTATION COPY TO ATHANASIUS KIRCHER
63 Huygens, Christian. Systema Saturnium, sive de causis mirandorum Saturni
Phaenomenon, et Comite eius, Planeta Novo.
The Hague, Adrian Vlacq, 1659
4to. [16], 84 pp. i folding engraved plate; 10 engraved text illustrations, woodcut diagrams and illustrations. Contemporary vellum. Autograph inscription on title. Stamped exlibris of Hieronymus
Tusch on verso of title.
Presentation copy of the first edition of Huygens' fundamental work on Saturn announcing the
discovery of the rings, and its first satellite. The inscription on the title, in Huygens's hand, reads:
Clarissimo Viro Do. Alhan. Kirchero D.D. auctor.
The appearance of "arms" around Saturn had perplexed astronomers since Galileo. Combining
his own telescopic observations of Saturn and the period of its satellite Titan along with the vortex
theory developed by Descartes, Huygens was able to prove that the "arms" must take the form of a
ring. The Systema also contains many observations of the other planets and their satellites, all contributing to a defence of the Copernican theory.
Dibner, Heralds 9.
_^
JOHN LOCKE'S COPY
HUYGENS' RESPONSE TO NEWTON'S PRINCIPIA
f/)
64/Huygens, Christian. Traite de la Lumiere.
,eiden, Pierre vander Aa, 1690
4to (255 x 220 mm.). [8], 124, [2], 125 - 128, [2], 129 - 180 pp., Large Paper, uncut. Title in red and
black, woodcut text diagrams. Original boards (spine lacking, upper cover detached). In a halfmorocco drop box. From the libraries of John Locke, with his ownership inscription "ex dono doctissimi authoris" and his characteristic marks; of Peter King (1669 - 1734), grandson of Locke's uncle
and inheritor of part of his library; and of the Earls of Lovelace, descendants of King.
First edition. One of the very rare Large Paper copies, entirely uncut as issued, of Huygens's
classic on light, given by the author to the great English philosopher John Locke. Huygens met Locke
^ ?5
No. 64 Iluygcns, Inscription of John Locke
v;3
during his visit to England in i(>8(>, and subsequently regretted that he did not get to know him better. He speaks highly of I ,ocke's Essay on Human Understanding of which Locke sent him a copy soon
after publication. Isaac Newton's own copy of the present work is also a Large Paper copy (now at
Trinity College, Cambridge) given him by the author.
The Traite de la Lumiere can be seen as Huygcns's answer to Newton's Principia, setting up the
Cartesian-mechanistic philosophy in opposition to the mathematical philosophy of Newton. "The
wave theory of light and its application to the refraction that occurs in Iceland spar represents an
effective mechanistic explanation of natural phenomena equal in mathematical sophistication and elegance to Newton's explanation of the motion of the planets. Huygens's explanation of gravity dealt
with fundamental problems that Newton avoided and left unsolved. Finally, Huygens's treatment of
motion in resisting media proved that he could achieve the same results as Newton in this difficult
subject although with different methods" (DSB VI, 609). The power of Huygens's work can be easily seen in Newtons Opticks of 1704 which takes a more clearly mechanistic approach to explanation.
Apart from John Locke's autograph inscription on the front pastedown, we find other characteristic marks of ownership in the book: his press mark with the figures 11/8 on the front pastedown,
underlining of the last two digits of the date on the title page and overlining the final pagination number. As the book was a gift, we do not find tiny numbers recording the price he paid on or about p.
11. The present copy is the CHDZ issue with the author's initials on the title.
A superb association copy of a scientific classic.
i
i
Horblit 54; Dibner, Heralds 146.
65 Hyginus Gromaticus (Pseudo-); Polybius. Scheel, Rabod Hermann,
comm. De castris romanis, Quae extant. Cum notis & animadversionibus . . .
R[adbodi] H[ermanni] S[chelii].
Amsterdam, Judocus Pluymer, 1660
4to. 2 blank ff, engraved title, [57], 18, [2], [33], 328, [20] pp., i blank f. (lacks 3 blank leaves).
Engraved title, engraved vignette on letterpress title, 3 engraved folding plates, large historiated and
decorative woodcut initials, woodcut tail-piece. Contemporary vellum with lapped fore-edges, ms.
title on spine.
Second edition of the anonymous theoretical treatise, falsely attributed to Hyginus Gromaticus,
on the subject of Roman military encampments (of about the third century). Very little was written
in ancient times about the organization of the camp and later scholars were anxious to exploit whatever was available. Also included are the portions of Polybius which are our prime authority for the
principles of camp organization. Both texts are accompanied by extensive notes and commentary by
Radbod Herman Scheele (1622 - 1662), a Dutch legal scholar who specialized in military law and
ancient precedents.
Schweiger II, 466; Hoffmann III, 446.
37
*x