Select Amusements in Philosophy and Mathematics; Proper for Agreeably Exercising the Minds of Youth. Translated from the French . with Several Corrections and Additions, Particularly a Large Table of the Chances or Odds at Play, The whole recommended as an useful Book for Schools, by Dr. Hutton, Professor of Mathematics, at Woolwich

Published by Printed for G. Kearsley, Fleet Street; Bell and Bradfute, Edinburgh; and Brash and Reid, Glasgow, by W. Glendinning, London, 1801

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Seller: James Cummins Bookseller, ABAA, New York, NY, U.S.A.James Cummins Bookseller, ABAA

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Condition: Used

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Item description from seller

First English edition. xix, [i, errata], 397, 3 (publisher's ads) pp. 8vo. The first English edition of this quite unusual and very entertaining compendium of conundrums, problems, parlor tricks, and "interesting facts" - it is actually much more fun than the title would seem to suggest. The first French edition was published in London in 1799 under the title Choix d' amusements physiques et mathématiques. The work includes tricks with cards, magic squares, magic lanterns, feats of artificial memory, and proto-spiritualist conjuring through "palingenesy," by which a performer can make the images of the dead appear in a glass jar, plus other optical illusions. A large collection of mathematical and physical curiosities, including chapters on arithmetic ("To arrange 30 criminals in such a manner as to save 15 of them, &c.", "A lady lamenting that her age was triple that of her daughter") and amusing "secrets" ("To make people in a room have a hideous appearance"). Toole Stott 240 Contemporary half leather over gray paper-covered boards. Covers worn, joints cracked but sewing sound, lacking spine label, text block roughly trimmed, occasional light soiling along lower blank margins. Remnant of contemporary bookplate. In a custom redpaper slipcase and matching chemise xix, [i, errata], 397, 3 (publisher's ads) pp. 8vo.…

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Bibliographic details

Title
Select Amusements in Philosophy and Mathematics; Proper for Agreeably Exercising the Minds of Youth. Translated from the French . with Several Corrections and Additions, Particularly a Large Table of the Chances or Odds at Play, The whole recommended as an useful Book for Schools, by Dr. Hutton, Professor of Mathematics, at Woolwich
Author
(MAGIC) Despiau, M.L.
Publisher
Printed for G. Kearsley, Fleet Street; Bell and Bradfute, Edinburgh; and Brash and Reid, Glasgow, by W. Glendinning, London
Publication year
1801
Edition
First English edition.
Seller catalogs
Art, Architecture & Design, Sports & Games

James Cummins Bookseller, ABAA

New York, NY, U.S.A.

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since May 29, 1998

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Literature, Fine Printing, Sets And Bindings, Illustrated Books, Sporting, Color Plate

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Seller's business information

James Cummins Bookseller, ABAA

James Cummins Bookseller, 699 Madison Avenue, 7th. Floor
New York, NY U.S.A. 10065