FOURIER, (JEAN BAPTISTE JOSEPH). - FIRST PRINTING OF ANY PART OF "THE ANALYTICAL THEORY OF HEAT"

Théorie de la chaleur. (Extrait).

Paris, Crochard, 1816. Contemp. hcloth. Spine with gilt lettering. In: "Annales de Chimie et de Physique, Par MM. Gay-Lussac et Arago." Sweries 2, tome 3. (Entire volume offered). 448 pp. a. 3 engraved plates. A library stamp to some upper corners. Fourier's paper: pp. 350-375. A few scattered brownspots.

First appearance in print of any part of Fourier's landmark work "Théorie Analytique de la Chaleur" which was published in 1822. The 2 large memoirs (of 1811) out of which - together with the offered memoir - grew his landmark work were only published in 1824 and 1826.

The volume contains also original papers by LAPLACE, GAY-LUSSAC, MAGENDIE, PRONY, HUMBOLDT, BIOT etc.etc.


"In 1816 Fourier published a paper (the paper offered) announcing the imminent appearance of a book on both the mathematical and the physical aspects of heat (Fourie 1816); but six years were to pass before a book was published, and it covered only the mathematical sides. In the 'preliminary discourse' he stated that its writing and printing had taken a long time (p. xvii)." (Grattan-Guiness "Landmark Writings in Western Mathematics 1640-1940", p.356).

Order-nr.: 49626