Compendium Elementorium matheseos universae;

Lausanne & Geneva Marci-Michaelis Bousquet. 1742.

Two volumes. First edition. 8vo. 167x100mm. pp. xxx, 466; [2], 1-432, 443-499, [2, 1bl]. Title page of volume one printed in black and red. Collates complete despite the pagination. 44 folding plates with an extensive array of diagrams. Eighteenth century calf with double fillet borders to the covers. Spine with five raised bands, compartments lavishly decorated in gilt, morocco labels lettered in gilt. All edges red. Some slight rubbing and fading to spines. A few marginal tears not affecting the text and some browning but otherwise a very good set indeed with the plates in particularly good condition. With the Macclesfield Library bookplate and embossed stamps.
Christian Wolff (1679-1754) was one of the great scientists and philosophers of the German enlightenment. He wrote on a vast range of subjects including economics and mathematics (which he applied, somewhat eccentrically to the study of theology). He was also a successful public administrator and was keen to stress the practical application of his more theoretical studies to everyday life and the management of the state. Compendium Elementorium is an extraordinary encyclopaedic "summa", aimed at young students, taking in geometry, astronomy, geography, military and civil architecture, mechanics, optics, perspective and pyrotechnics all illustrated with fascinating little engravings.