Commercium Philosophicum et Mathematicum. Tomus primus, ab anno 1694 ad annum 1699 [- Tomus secundus, ab anno 1700. ad annum 1716]

LEIBNIZ, Gottfried Wilhelm & BERNOULLI, Johann

Edité par Lausannæ & Genevæ: Sumpt. Marci-Michaelis Bousquet & Socior. ., 1745

A propos de cet article

First edition, complete with the often-missing portrait, of the correspondence between Leibniz (1646-1716) and Johann Bernoulli. Bernoulli (1667-1748) and his 12-years-older brother Jakob were largely responsible for the development of Leibnizian calculus, and much of the correspondence in these volumes deals with this development, making it a crucial source for the history of calculus. Of particular interest are the letters (CCIV-CCXVI) dealing with the priority dicpute between Leibniz and Newton over the invention of the calculus, and the reaction of Leibniz and Bernoulli to the publication of John Collins's Commercium epitolicum (1712) which set out the evidence for Newton's priority. Indeed, these volumes are "important for containing the evidence, as embodied in the correspondence between Leibnitz and Jean Bernoulli, on the question of the rival claims to priority in the invention of the calculus, between Newton and Leibnitz. It was the only serious claim published in Leibnitz's favor, and was a tardy answer to the Commercium Epistolicum, which gave the evidence in Newton's favor" (Babson 196). Johann was initially taught mathematics by his elder brother but the two men eventually became bitter rivals, challenging each other to solve important problems arising out of the calculus. Perhaps the most famous of these is the brachistochrone problem, that of determining the path of quickest descent under gravity (letters XXVII-XXXII). Other topics discussed include probability, including Jakob's 'Ars conjectandi' (1713). Gray 259; Ravier 427; Wallis 259. Two vols., 4to, pp. [iv], xxviii, 484, engraved frontispiece portrait of Leibnitz and 15 folding engraved plates; pp. [ii], 492, and 8 folding engraved plates, titles printed in red and black with engraved vignettes (occasional light browning). Contemporary marbled calf, at some time (not recently) rebacked with red lettering-pieces (rubbed).

N° de réf. du vendeur ABE-1741092757226

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: Commercium Philosophicum et Mathematicum. Tomus primus, ab anno 1694 ad annum 1699 [- Tomus secundus, ab anno 1700. ad annum 1716]
• Éditeur: Lausannæ & Genevæ: Sumpt. Marci-Michaelis Bousquet & Socior. .
• Date de parution: 1745
• Reliure: Hardcover
• Édition: 1st Edition
• État de l'article: Very Good