MOLYNEUX, William (1656-1698). Sciothericum telescopicum; or, A new contrivance of adapting a telescope to an horizontal dial for observing the moment of time by day or night. Dublin: Andrew Crook and Samuel Helsham for W. Norman, S. Helsham and El....
MOLYNEUX, William (1656-1698). Sciothericum telescopicum; or, A new contrivance of adapting a telescope to an horizontal dial for observing the moment of time by day or night. Dublin: Andrew Crook and Samuel Helsham for W. Norman, S. Helsham and El. Dobson, 1686. [Bound with:] TWYSDEN, John (1607-1688). The use of the general planisphere, called the analemma, in the resolution of some of the chief and most useful problems of astronomy. London: Philip Lea, 1700.
First edition describing Molyneux's invention of a combined dial and telescope, built to Molyneaux's commission by the London instrument maker, Richard Whitehead, and demonstrated to the Dublin society. Molyneux, experimental philosopher and constitutional writer, has a claim to be considered the founder of modern science in Ireland. In October 1683 he set himself the task of forming a society in Dublin on the template of the Royal Society. As first secretary and treasurer he conducted correspondence and exchanged minutes with the Royal Society and its sister society at Oxford. He took an active part in the proceedings of the society, elucidating discoveries, demonstrating experiments and instruments, discussing books, showing curious objects, undertaking the calculation of solar and lunar eclipses, and recording weather data. The second work, a presumed second edition reissued by the globe maker Phillip Lea, is an astronomical work by John Twysden, a physician with a keen interest in mathematics, with plates by the celebrated scientific instrument maker Walter Hayes, and designed by the surveyor Sir Jonas Moore. Wing M 2406A.
2 works in one volume, small quarto (191 x 146mm). 1st work: folding plate showing the author's invention with 18 leaves of tables, ending on N2, ‘Finis’ printed at the foot of N2 verso, ‘Tables of the suns right ascension in time to every ten minutes of the ecliptick’ on H4r, ‘Tables of æquation of natural days’ on M1r, and ‘Calculation of hours and minutes for an horizontal-dial. Dublin lat 53°. 20’’ on M3r, each having a divisional title page, with press-figure ‘[*]’ on leaf L4v. 2nd work: cancel title, 4 folding engraved plates, 2 leaves ‘Tabula Ascensium Obliquarum’, 6pp. with drophead title John PALMER, The Planetary Instrument, or the description and use of the theories of the planets, 8pp. with drophead title Samuel FOSTER, The description and use of the nocturnal, both latter works with separate signatures and pagination but are integral with Twysden's work, final leaf blank (folding plate in first work with marginal tear along creasefold, 2nd work lacking D4, presumably as issued in this state, an advertisement leaf for instruments by publisher of prior edition in 1685, some light damp-staining throughout). Contemporary panelled calf (joints and corners heavily rubbed). Provenance: C.E. Kenney (sold Sotheby’s 22 May 1967, lot 2983, purchased by Francis Edwards) – C.St J.H. Daniel (stamp on endpapers and invoice for £250 from Francis Edwards dated 16th October, 1970).
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MOLYNEUX, William (1656-1698). Sciothericum telescopicum; or, A new contrivance of adapting a telescope to an horizontal dial for observing the moment of time by day or night. Dublin: Andrew Crook and Samuel Helsham for W. Norman, S. Helsham and El. Dobson, 1686. [Bound with:] TWYSDEN, John (1607-1688). The use of the general planisphere, called the analemma, in the resolution of some of the chief and most useful problems of astronomy. London: Philip Lea, 1700.
First edition describing Molyneux's invention of a combined dial and telescope, built to Molyneaux's commission by the London instrument maker, Richard Whitehead, and demonstrated to the Dublin society. Molyneux, experimental philosopher and constitutional writer, has a claim to be considered the founder of modern science in Ireland. In October 1683 he set himself the task of forming a society in Dublin on the template of the Royal Society. As first secretary and treasurer he conducted correspondence and exchanged minutes with the Royal Society and its sister society at Oxford. He took an active part in the proceedings of the society, elucidating discoveries, demonstrating experiments and instruments, discussing books, showing curious objects, undertaking the calculation of solar and lunar eclipses, and recording weather data. The second work, a presumed second edition reissued by the globe maker Phillip Lea, is an astronomical work by John Twysden, a physician with a keen interest in mathematics, with plates by the celebrated scientific instrument maker Walter Hayes, and designed by the surveyor Sir Jonas Moore. Wing M 2406A.
2 works in one volume, small quarto (191 x 146mm). 1st work: folding plate showing the author's invention with 18 leaves of tables, ending on N2, ‘Finis’ printed at the foot of N2 verso, ‘Tables of the suns right ascension in time to every ten minutes of the ecliptick’ on H4r, ‘Tables of æquation of natural days’ on M1r, and ‘Calculation of hours and minutes for an horizontal-dial. Dublin lat 53°. 20’’ on M3r, each having a divisional title page, with press-figure ‘[*]’ on leaf L4v. 2nd work: cancel title, 4 folding engraved plates, 2 leaves ‘Tabula Ascensium Obliquarum’, 6pp. with drophead title John PALMER, The Planetary Instrument, or the description and use of the theories of the planets, 8pp. with drophead title Samuel FOSTER, The description and use of the nocturnal, both latter works with separate signatures and pagination but are integral with Twysden's work, final leaf blank (folding plate in first work with marginal tear along creasefold, 2nd work lacking D4, presumably as issued in this state, an advertisement leaf for instruments by publisher of prior edition in 1685, some light damp-staining throughout). Contemporary panelled calf (joints and corners heavily rubbed). Provenance: C.E. Kenney (sold Sotheby’s 22 May 1967, lot 2983, purchased by Francis Edwards) – C.St J.H. Daniel (stamp on endpapers and invoice for £250 from Francis Edwards dated 16th October, 1970).
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