Books
1813 First Edition "Memoirs Of The Life Of David Rittenhouse..." By E. Parker of Philadelphia
1813 First Edition, Book entitled: "Memoirs Of The Life Of David Rittenhouse, LLD. F.R.S., Late President Of The American Philosophical Society, etc. Interspersed With Various Notices Of Many Distinguished Men...," by William Barton, Printed by E. Parker, Philadelphia, PA, Very Fine.
This hardbound book is in original 1/4 leather and marbled boards, with gilt-stamped spine and are partially marbled, measuring 9.25" x 6", with 614 pages. The frontis has a wonderful engraved portrait of Rittenhouse by D. Edwin, after the 1772 Painting by Charles Wilson Peale from an original, which is exceptional and scarce, as are the book's contents. The book exhibits rubbing to the boards, and toned pages as expected. The front board is loose, but the pages are in good condition. A nice addition for any historical collection on this important 18th century American astronomer who became the Director of the U.S. Mint.
David Rittenhouse (1732–96), American astronomer and instrument maker, born near Germantown, Pennsylvania. He was self-educated, a clockmaker by trade, and developed great skill in the making of mathematical instruments. He was called upon to determine, with his own instruments, the boundary lines of several states and also part of the boundary known as the Mason-Dixon Line. In 1769 he was asked by the American Philosophical Society to observe the transit of Venus. His contributions include the use of measured grating intervals and spider threads on the focus of the telescope. Active in public affairs, he was a member of the convention that framed Pennsylvania's constitution and was state treasurer (1777–89) and director of the U.S. Mint (1792–95). After the Revolution he was an Anti-Federalist. He succeeded Benjamin Franklin as president (1791–96) of the American Philosophical Society; most of his writings appeared in its Transactions.
1813 First Edition "Memoirs Of The Life Of David Rittenhouse..." By E. Parker of Philadelphia
1813 First Edition, Book entitled: "Memoirs Of The Life Of David Rittenhouse, LLD. F.R.S., Late President Of The American Philosophical Society, etc. Interspersed With Various Notices Of Many Distinguished Men...," by William Barton, Printed by E. Parker, Philadelphia, PA, Very Fine.
This hardbound book is in original 1/4 leather and marbled boards, with gilt-stamped spine and are partially marbled, measuring 9.25" x 6", with 614 pages. The frontis has a wonderful engraved portrait of Rittenhouse by D. Edwin, after the 1772 Painting by Charles Wilson Peale from an original, which is exceptional and scarce, as are the book's contents. The book exhibits rubbing to the boards, and toned pages as expected. The front board is loose, but the pages are in good condition. A nice addition for any historical collection on this important 18th century American astronomer who became the Director of the U.S. Mint.
David Rittenhouse (1732–96), American astronomer and instrument maker, born near Germantown, Pennsylvania. He was self-educated, a clockmaker by trade, and developed great skill in the making of mathematical instruments. He was called upon to determine, with his own instruments, the boundary lines of several states and also part of the boundary known as the Mason-Dixon Line. In 1769 he was asked by the American Philosophical Society to observe the transit of Venus. His contributions include the use of measured grating intervals and spider threads on the focus of the telescope. Active in public affairs, he was a member of the convention that framed Pennsylvania's constitution and was state treasurer (1777–89) and director of the U.S. Mint (1792–95). After the Revolution he was an Anti-Federalist. He succeeded Benjamin Franklin as president (1791–96) of the American Philosophical Society; most of his writings appeared in its Transactions.
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Auction details
Coins-Currency-Autographs-Americana
9:00 AM PT - May 18th, 2008
offered by
Early American
P.O. Box 3507
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
