2 vols. in one. FIRST EDITION. 8 vo. Half mottled and polished calf, antique style. (8), cxix, (9), 208; t.p., 231, (5) pp. Occasional spotting, more so to the first title page, bound without half-title in vol. 2, leaf 53/54 of vol.2 with margin repair; otherwise, a very good copy. "Maillet (1656-1738) was a French diplomat, working in Egypt, whose posthumous theory of the earth was the first best-seller since Burnet's. Maillet, like Swedenborg, was a Cartesian, and he agreed that the earth's rocks had been gradually laid down by a receding ocean. But he went much further than Swedenborg, or Linne. He thought that life arose in primitive forms in shallow seas, gradually becoming more complex as the waters retreated. Moreover, Maillet believed that the regression of the sea was a cyclical process, and that the earth, once a sun, would eventually dry out, rekindle, and become a sun again. Maillet's estimate of a time span for this cycle was a heady five billion years." ('Theories of the Earth 1644-1830', Linda Hall Lib., 1984, no.24). 'Forerunners of Darwin', see chap. 9. D.S.B.9: 26-27. Geology Emerging 1457. N.L.M. (18th C.), p.283. Waller 19950. Roller & Goodman II.151. Seller Inventory # 000296

Contact seller

Report this item

Bibliographic Details

Title: Telliamed ou entretiens d'un philosophe ...

Publisher: Amsterdam: l'Honore, 1748

Publication Date: 1748

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

Edition: 1st Edition

Store Description

The ANTIQUARIAN SCIENTIST (285 Main Road, Westhampton, MA 01027 USA; antiqsci@comcast.net), established in 1976, specializes in rare books in science, medicine, and technology. In addition, we offer antique scientific instruments, and appraisals and collection development in these specialty areas. Thus far we have published forty-two illustrated and annotated catalogues. We also co-published the print journal "Rittenhouse" which is devoted to the history of the scientific instrument enterprise in America. We are members of SNEAB and numerous professional societies relating to books, instruments, and the history of science and medicine. It has always been our policy to provide to our clients professional quality services.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Association Member

Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.

Seller's business information:

Antiquarian Scientist, The
MA, U.S.A.

Terms of Sale:

Payment may be made by check or money order in US dollars, or by credit card through ABE Shopping Basket. We do not accept credit cards directly.
Shipping by Media Mail or Bound Printed Matter. Shipping by Priority Mail within the U.S.is based on your zip code. FOR BOOKS OF HIGHER VALUE, THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL INSURANCE CHARGE. Shipping charge for outside the U.S. will be quoted upon receipt of order.
The Antiquarian Scientist is a registered Massachusetts sole proprietorship.

Shipping Terms:

Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.

Payment Methods
accepted by seller

Visa Mastercard American Express Apple Pay Google Pay

Check Money Order PayPal Bank Draft

Add to Wants