Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Vol. VI, Part I only (1720–1732)

Compiled and abridged by Mr. Reid and John Gray A.M.F.R.S.
Printed in 1733 by William Innys and Richard Manby, Printers to the Royal Society, London
 
Part I. The MATHEMATICAL Papers
 
Author(s)
 
John Gray was a British Mathematician and Fellow of the Royal Society and a key figure in early 18th-century scientific publishing.
Together with Mr. Reid, Gray edited and abridged the original Philosophical Transactions, providing an accessible digest of complex scientific work for educated readers, scientists, and scholars.
These editors played a significant role in disseminating Enlightenment science beyond the core academic circles of London.
 
Published Date
 
1733
 
Publisher
 
William Innys and Richard Manby, Printers to the Royal Society
Located at the West End of St Paul’s Churchyard, London
Innys was one of the foremost scientific publishers of the period and was also responsible for printing Newton’s Principia Mathematica
Richard Manby continued the legacy, becoming an important figure in scientific dissemination during the Enlightenment
 
Edition
 
Abridged edition, Vol. VI, Part I only (covering 1720–1732)
 
Language
 
Primarily English with some sections in Latin (the scientific lingua franca of the time).
 
Provenance
 
This copy bears a period ink inscription on the front pastedown:
“Thos. Simon, Cropwell Bishop”
Cropwell Bishop is a historic village in Nottinghamshire. Parish records confirm the presence of individuals named Thomas Simon in the village both before and after 1733.
While not among the most prominent landholding families, the Simon family appears to have been well-established in the area.
Given the book’s high cost, scientific subject matter, and elite publisher, it’s reasonable to infer that Thomas Simon was literate and likely affluent, perhaps a gentleman, clergyman, or landowner.
The association with a named 18th-century owner adds valuable English provenance and historical interest to the volume.
 
Exterior Condition
 
Bound in original full calf leather with gilt double-rule borders to both boards
Five raised bands to the spine, with the volume number "6" gilt-stamped in one of the compartments
Rubbing and bumping to corners and edges
Heavy rubbing and wear to the surface of the boards and the spine
Visible splits along the spine joints
Boards slightly loose but attached; joints holding despite wear
Spine leather shows some cracking, consistent with age
Inner hinges show some cracking, but boards remain attached, intact, and secure overall despite nearly 300 years of age
 
Interior Condition
 
Complete: preliminary leaves + 400 numbered pages
All 12 engraved fold-out plates and 1-fold-out map are present, including a duplicate of Plate VII (facing p.158)
All edge sprinkled pages
Text block is solid and clean, with only occasional small or light marks
Pages show light crinkling, occasional small creases, and minor edge tears, none affecting text readability
Light foxing present on some leaves, mostly in margins
Tear through map plate, but it remains legible and complete
A small rip runs through page 384 and its overleaf, though this does not obscure the text
Pages 395 to 398 contain long rips at the inner margin and some stains at the outer edge; these defects are cosmetic only and do not interfere with readability
There are also occasional small holes near the inner margin, possibly from historic insect activity
Pen inscription ("Thos. Simon, Cropwell Bishop") on front pastedown
A few further ink marks on front free endpaper
No evidence of major restoration
 
Pages
 
[xiv] + 400 pp., complete
 
Illustrations / Plates
 
All 12 original fold-out engraved plates are present, along with one fold-out map
Plate VII is duplicated, facing pages 158 and 258
Notable content includes:
An Optical experiment (facing p.124)
A Reflecting Telescope (facing p.152)
An Engine to raise water (facing p. 314)
Fold-out map of ‘The Country of Dates’ (facing p.382)
 
Measurements and Weight
 
24.4 cm x 19 cm x 4.4 cm
1,132 grams
 
Historical Context and Significance
 
The Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society is the oldest scientific journal in the world, first published in 1665. This abridged edition, compiled by John Gray and Mr. Reid, presents the scientific developments of 1720-1732, during the height of the Enlightenment.
 
Topics ranged from anatomy and physiology to astronomy, meteorology, and philology, offering a comprehensive cross-section of 18th-century scientific thought.
The volume’s printer, William Innys, is renowned for publishing Isaac Newton’s works and was the official printer to the Royal Society. The abridged editions served as a crucial method for disseminating scientific knowledge across Europe and the British colonies.
 
Rarity
 
Scarce in the trade, especially with all original fold-out plates and map present