The Elements of Euclid – 1820

A handsomely-bound 1820 edition of Euclid’s Elements, a founding work of Greek geometry and mathematics written around 300BC.

Euclid’s treatise was originally divided into 12 sections and covers a range of different areas, including plane geometry, number theory and trigonometry. It has been described as the “most successful textbook ever written”, and one of the most translated and studied works in history.

The text in this edition is the well-known translation into English by the Scottish mathematician Robert Simson, who taught and studied at the University of Glasgow for almost 50 years from the 1710s onwards. His translation first appeared in the 1750s, along with a Latin version, with later editions including the addition of a Data section. This is the 19th edition of the first Simson translation.

Illustrated throughout with diagrams, equations and other geometrical drawings. In addition to the main text it includes two fold-out plates, to the rear, visualising elements of Spherical Trigonometry.

Hardback, published in 1820 in London. Printed for Collington, Rivington and others.  Titled in full as:  “The Elements of Euclid. Viz. The First Six Books, Together With the Eleventh and Twelfth. The Errors, by Which Theon, or Other, Have Long Ago Vitiated These Books, Are Corrected, and Some of Euclid’s Demonstrations are Restored. Also the book of Euclid’s data, in like manner corrected.”

In a contemporary full calf binding, with five raised bands to spine, with title in gilt lettering, and gilt borders to front and rear boards. In good condition. Some scratches and marks to boards and spine. Loose chip to top of spine. Inside, occasional notes in pencil with some handwritten equations, otherwise contents very clean with only some light spotting to early pages. Neat previous owner’s name. Binding tight and square.

A seminal work of mathematics, and rare in this edition.