227 - NEWTON, Isaac. *The Corrected Chronology of the Ancient Kingdoms*, to which is appended an abridged chronicle containing an account of events in ancient Europe up to the conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great.

NEWTON, Isaac. *The Corrected Chronology of the Ancient Kingdoms*, to which is appended an abridged chronicle containing an account of events in ancient Europe up to the conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great. First French edition, published the same year as the original English edition, illustrated with 3 engraved fold-out plates. Paris, Gabriel Martin, Jean-Baptiste Coignard, Hippolite-Louis Guérin, François Montalant, 1728. In-4 (190 x 240 mm), fawn-colored glazed calfskin, spine with raised bands highlighted by a gilt frieze, central medallion and gilt corner medallions within panels, title label in red morocco leather, blind-stamped frieze on the edges, red-speckled edges. (20) ff., 416 pp., and (2) ff., 3 double-page plates as inserts. Covers rebound; slight tear at the top joint; minor scuffs and scratches; rare small foxing spots. First French edition, published the same year as the original, translated by Abbé Granet and illustrated with 3 folded plates with captions showing plans of Solomon’s Temple. This essay on the chronology of the earliest great civilizations (Greeks, Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes, and Persians) was written by Newton for his own pleasure and published without his knowledge by Abbé Conti. His chronology, which challenged the established views of the time by applying astronomical calculations to ancient historiography, was vigorously refuted in substance by Nicolas Fréret in his famous *Défense de la chronologie* (Paris, 1758, published with a preface by Bougainville). [Brunet IV, 50–51]. A copy containing a handwritten note titled “Opinion of an Englishman (Mr. Playfair) on this work.” It details the major astronomical and historical objections raised by the Scottish mathematician and geologist John Playfair (1748–1819) to Newton’s system, particularly regarding the inconsistency in the position of the star Canopus during the Argonauts’ expedition. . Étienne Buffet bookplate on the inside front cover. A fragile but attractive copy; the interior is clean and fresh overall.