ELEMENTS OF TRIGONOMETRY AND GEOMETRY. TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF A.M. LEGENDRE, BY DAVID BREWSTER, LL. D. REVISED AND ADAPTED TO THE COURSE OF MATHEMATICAL INSTRUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES, BY CHARLES DAVIES.

Davies, Charles: Legendre, Adrien-Marie:

Edité par New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1848.

A propos de cet article

A thoroughly read and written-in copy of the 1848 edition of this classic 19th century mathematics textbook, belonging to a somewhat mischievous young student. While the title states it is a translation of Legendre's work, the connection between Davies' book and the French original is in reality quite loose - though that didn't stop this textbook from appearing in thirty-three editions in fewer than fifty years. The owner, one A.J. Higgins from "The U.S. of America, Long Island" judging by his calligraphy practice on the front pastedown, seems to have had a restless pen. His name is signed quite a few times on the front board, and evidence of his signature rehearsals coat the front pastedown and endpaper. The whole textbook is filled with his notes, doodles, and calculations. He also seems to have kept a running tally of times he was reprimanded or given detention along with the reasons. Some highlights include "Absent - role called" (a recurring theme), "disrespectful language to Washington for telling him that I did not make a mistake," and "leaving table because my [seat?] was so wet I couldn't stay there." He also made a number of sketches in the margins, including a sailing ship in three views, and tried his hand at love poetry on the rear pastedown (complete with crossed out rough draft): "Oh when I take my pen to write/ And sit down to answer thee/ It's then I think of our pleasant times/ And the kiss I stole from thee." Perhaps he became a successful poet after all, or perhaps as one of his classmates penciled opposite the title page, "Higgins is a fool." Contemporary calf, spine gilt with gilt label. Heavily rubbed and scraped, contemporary ink stains, front board detached but present. Numerous small tears and ink stains to interior, thoroughly dog-eared, rear endpaper lacking. Copious contemporary manuscript notes in ink and pencil throughout, particularly to front and rear leaves as well as boards. A sturdy but clearly well-used copy.

N° de réf. du vendeur 57127

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: ELEMENTS OF TRIGONOMETRY AND GEOMETRY. TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF A.M. LEGENDRE, BY DAVID BREWSTER, LL. D. REVISED AND ADAPTED TO THE COURSE OF MATHEMATICAL INSTRUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES, BY CHARLES DAVIES.
• Éditeur: New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1848.