Cours complet d'optique

First French edition in the translation by Esprit Pézenas, and illustrated with 73 folding plates engraved by Faure and distributed throughout the 2 volumes (astronomy, camera obscura, telescope...). The first English edition appeared in 1738 under the title A compleat system of opticks. Additions supplement Smith's work on optical discoveries that have been made since publication.

Contemporary full marbled calf bindings. Decorated spines with raised bands. Red morocco title labels and black morocco volume labels. Headcaps worn. Lack at foot of volume I along the upper joint. Joints cracked at head. Upper joint cracked at foot in volume I and split in volume II. 4 corners bumped. Lack to volume label of volume I. Set rubbed. Library label in the 5th compartment with the letter N.

The most important and complete treatise on optics of the 18th century. It is both a popular work of popularization and a scientific treatise and consists of distinct parts. The first, entitled Popular Treatise is a summary of all optical phenomena with its experiments; the second part is an application of geometry in the theory of light and optics, the third section of the work is a treatise on mechanics applied to optics and intended mainly for artisans with processes for making mirrors, lenses, camera obscuras, polished glasses... The fourth part is a history of astronomy and its discoveries. It should be noted that for the author, light has a corpuscular character despite Newton's doubts on this subject.
Stamp on title page: Bibliothèque centrale Artillerie.