BERTRAND, Louis

Développement nouveau de la partie élémentaire des mathématiques: prisedans toute son étendue

      Aux dépens de l'auteur; se vend chez I. Bardin Geneva 1778 Modern boards (small tear in spine of one volume) 4to . FIRST EDITION of this massive introductory mathematical text. Although Poggendorf notes only 1774 edition this appears to be either a misprint or a ghost since we have not been able to fine any copy earlier than the present one. Bertrand (1731-1812), a Swiss mathematician and geologist, was a disciple of Euler with whom he studied for many years. He became professor of mathematics at the Academy of Geneva, succeeding Jallabert and Trembley. He wrote a number of works on mathematics with the present being one of his largest 2 volumes. [4], XXXII, 676 pp.: [2], 646 pp. With 19 Engraved plates. Added table after page 138 in vol. II and errata leaf to both volumes after prelims of vol. I. Uncut and partly unopened set. Engraved vignette on both title-pages; fine set. §Southeran 374; Poggendorff I, 171; Cantor, Geschichte der Mathematik IV, 332 (long description); Wolff, Biographien I, 416