Malher & Cie

First French edition of this important study. Translation from English with notes by MM. Verhulst and A. Quetelet. The second volume is from 1833. The significant publication delay between the first and second volumes allowed for some remarkable additions: Supplement to the treatise on light by Quetelet, p. 336-602 of volume 2, in which the latter exposes recent research in optics. The illustration comprises 15 folding plates. The treatise on light had only appeared in the form of articles in the Philosophical transactions, and this is its first edition in volume form to which Herschel contributed with his corrections.
Full olive green sheep bindings, slightly later ca 1840. Smooth spines decorated with geometric arabesques in long grain. Boards stamped in blind with a large floral plate, central medallion on the upper board of the Royal College of Orleans with laurel crown. Spines sunned and turned light brown with traces of discoloration and rubbing. Corners and edges rubbed. On the pastedown, price label dated 1845. Scattered browning except on the plates, which are very fresh.
Sir William Herschel was a British astronomer. Herschel demonstrated the existence of infrared radiation by analyzing sunlight using a prism and thermometer. He also found the first evidence that light and infrared are two aspects of the same phenomenon, now called electromagnetic radiation. The term infrared only appeared around 1880, Herschel used that of "Radiant heat".

First edition of the French translation established by E. Pelouze.
Half aubergine sheep binding, spine lightly browned without consequence with four raised bands decorated with gilt fillets and fleurons, date at foot, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers preserved.
Some minor foxing.
Rare.