NEWTON, Isaac (1642-1726/27). Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. Cambridge, 1713.

The Horblit copy of the second edition of Newton’s great mathematical work, substantially revised and enlarged, and the chapters on the lunar theory and the theory of comets much expanded. It contains Cotes’s important preface in which he attacks the Cartesian philosophy "and refutes an assertion that Newton’s theory of attraction is a causa occulta" (Babson). About 750 copies of this edition were printed. This copy with the bookplate of Harrison Horblit, collector of books relating to the history of science and mathematics and the author of the 1964 Grolier Club publication One Hundred Books Famous in Science: Based on an Exhibition Held at the Grolier Club. Babson pp. 10-11.

Quarto (235 x 185mm). One folding plate opposite p.464. (Title repaired at margin; some stains to prelims/postlims and intermittently elsewhere, including to inner margin of plate, just crossing platemark; O-P gatherings with worming at top edge.) Contemporary calf (rebacked with portions of original spine laid down, corners renewed, new endpapers) Provenance: Christ Church, Oxford (armorial bookplate) – Harrison D. Horblit, philanthropist and bibliophile 1912-1988 (bookplate) – Owen Gingerich (bookplate).