NICERON, Jean-François. La perspective curieuse ou magie art - Lot 106

NICERON, Jean-François. La perspective curieuse ou magie artificielle des effets merveilleux de : L'optique par la vision directe, la catoptrique, par la réflexion des miroirs plats, cylindriques coniques, la dioptrique, par la réfraction des crystaux. Paris, Pierre Billaine, 1638. 1 vol. in-folio. Contemporary calf with ornate ribbed spine, gilt title. A title-frontispiece engraved by Daret and 25 plates, one double. ORIGINAL EDITION of the major work by French mathematician Jean-François Nicéron, a member of the Minimes order and a disciple of Mersenne. The text is divided into four books, dealing respectively with geometric optics and perspective; the art of perspective drawing; anamorphoses; and the deformations caused by refraction. The plates were drawn by the author himself. The last plate is unbound and missing from the outer margin. Foxing and creasing to the faux-titre. Binding very damaged, with splits at the upper jaw, spotting and missing parts. As is.