29 - [ASTRONOMY]. DELAMBRE, Jean-Baptiste. History of Modern Astronomy. Volumes 1 and 2.

[ASTRONOMY]. DELAMBRE, Jean-Baptiste. History of Modern Astronomy. Volumes 1 and 2. First edition of this impressive historical synthesis by astronomer Jean-Baptiste Joseph Delambre (1749–1822), illustrated with 17 fold-out copperplate engravings, well preserved in its period bindings. Paris, Vve Courcier, 1821. 2 tomes in 2 in-8 volumes, green half-basane, smooth spine decorated with special fillets and gilt fleurons, author, title, and volume number gilt, speckled edges (contemporary binding). Volume 1: LXXXII, 715 pages and 9 fold-out plates; Volume 2: 804 pages and 8 fold-out plates. Minor scuffing, a small tear at the top of Volume 2, some foxing, more noticeable in the margins and on the first few pages. First edition of this monumental historical synthesis by the astronomer Jean-Baptiste Joseph Delambre (1749–1822), illustrated with 17 fold-out copperplate engravings. In it, the author analyzes the evolution of theories and observations from the Renaissance through the end of the 17th century, scrutinizing the major works of Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Kepler, Galileo, Gassendi, Descartes, and Huygens. A fine, well-preserved copy, complete with its plates.