SMITH, Robert (1689-1768). A Compleat System of Optics.

Lot 89

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10717 Detroit Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44102
United States

Gray’s is a modern, fine art and antiques auction house combining the convenience of 21st century online technology with the excitement of a traditional live auction. Gray’s Auctioneers are Northern Ohio’s leading auctioneers & valuers of fine art, jewelry, decorations, antiques & rugs. With over th...Read more

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About Auction

A Library of Curiosities by Gray's Auctioneers

Live

A Library of Curiosities

By Gray's Auctioneers

Jul 30, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-07-30 10:00:00 2025-07-30 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : A Library of Curiosities https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/grays/a-library-of-curiosities-19990 Our Library of Curiosities auction features selections from the collection of John A Davidson Jr., a life long collector of rare books. John was extraordinarily interested in a wide array of subjects from the beginning of publishing through the twentieth century. Gray's Auctioneers info@graysauctioneers.com

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Lot Description

SMITH, Robert (1689-1768). A Compleat System of Optics. First Edition.

Cambridge: printed for the author, and sold there by Cornelius Crownfield, and at London by Stephen Austen, at the Angel and Bible in St. Paul's Churchyard, and Robert Dodsley at Tully's Head in Pall-Mall, MDCCXXXVIII. [1738].

A compleat system of opticks in four books,: viz. A popular, a mathematical, a mechanical, and a philosophical treatise. To which are added remarks upon the whole, by Robert Smith.
Four books bound into a single volume, with illustrations, diagrams.

Bound in leather, raised bands, decorative gilt panels, red leather spine label, gilt spine title, speckled edges.

H: 10 1/4 W: 8 in.

With bookplate on front pastedown endpaper, “Belper.” With two handwritten documents in ink , “Optical lectures read in Cambridge 1669,” and “Numerum in praesenti,” laid in.

Dimension

Width: 8.00

Condition

Good. Covers rubbed, edges and corners rubbed and bumped, hinges split and some pages partially detached; p. 342-352 detached.; foxing at edges.
Provenance

From the Estate of John A. Davidson, Jr. Proceeds to benefit the APL of Lorain County and the Dittrick Museum.
Shipping Info
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