An untouched personal copy of Isaac Newton's book Optics has been put up for auction. She was recently found after
In the treatise, Newton analyzes the fundamental nature of light. The book is considered one of the three major works that marked the "scientific revolution in optics".
Long-lost copy found by book collectorDavid DiLaura as he sorted his collection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Turns out he bought it 20 years ago. On a special plate it was written that the book was the second edition, printed in 1717 and previously owned by a man named James Musgrave. Closer examination, however, revealed a second tablet hidden under the first. It turned out that the previous owner was Charles Huggins.
Further research by the collector showedthat after the death of Newton (who did not leave a will) in 1727, his books and other things were acquired by a man named John Huggins. He later gave them to his son Charles, rector in Oxfordshire. The items then ended up with Charles's successor as rector, James Musgrave. The collection was passed down from generation to generation until 1920. The book was then considered lost until DiLaura's discovery.
The book will be on sale at the Rare Books Fair in San Francisco, which will be held from February 3 to 5. It is expected to be $460,000.
Newton's Optics was first published in 1704.it became the culmination of decades of research by the physicist on the nature of light. The book has detailed information about Newton's famous experiments using prisms.
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