EULER (Leonhard). Theoria motuum planetarum et... Lot 7

EULER (Leonhard). Theoria motuum planetarum et cometarum. Continens methodum facilem ex aliquot observationibus orbitas cum planetarum tum cometarum determinandi. Una cum calculo, quo cometæ, qui annis 1680 et 1681 itemque ejus, qui nuper est visus, motus verus investigatur. Berlin: Ambroise Haude, [1744]. - In-4, 230 x 195: 187 pp. 4 plates. Half white parchment à la Bradel, smooth mute spine, red edges (modern binding). Houzeau et Lancaster, I, 11948. - Poggendorff, I, 689. - La Lande, 422. First edition of the first work by the famous scientist Leonhard Euler (1707-1783), published in Berlin at the invitation of Frederick II of Prussia. It is one of the fundamental books on calculating the orbits of planets and comets, "laying the foundations of an analytical mechanics that Lagrange was to bring to its highest degree of development" (BNF). The edition includes a fine full-page frontispiece engraving by Ferdinand Helfreich Frisch (1707-1758) showing the solar system as it was known at the time, presented on a hanging held by two angels and inscribed "Sapientissimi Opus". There are also 4 folding plates of scientific diagrams at the end. Frisch's engraving was actually printed on the A4 sheet which, as in most copies, was placed opposite the title to form a frontispiece. This sheet therefore corresponds to pages 7 and 8, hence the fact that the pagination runs from 6 to 9 without interruption in the text, as confirmed by the advertisement. A good copy in modern binding. Some foxing.