CHERUBIN d'ORLEANS. La dioptrique oculaire, ou La théorique, - Lot 78

CHERUBIN d'ORLEANS. La dioptrique oculaire, ou La théorique, la positive, et la méchanique, de l'oculaire dioptrique en toutes ses espèces. Paris, Thomas Jolly & Simon Benard, 1671. In-folio (37 x 23 cm); [44] pp., 419 p., [30] p. (table), fr., pl., period vellum, smooth spine, handwritten title on spine (one bit slightly split, upper endpapers lacking, qq. rare small wet spots, small tear at fold pl. p. 276; without final blank f.). First edition of this important treatise on optics, divided into three parts, by Father Chérubin d'Orléans. The illustration consists of a fine frontispiece engraved by Edelinck after Le Pautre, a large vignette engraved by Edelinck at the dedication, 57 plates including 6 fold-outs, and 2 figures in the text, engraved by L. Cossinus after the author, representing various optical instruments, microscopes, telescopes, astronomical observations, geometric diagrams and two maps of the Moon. Numerous letterforms and culs-de-lampe. Michel Lasseray or Lasseré (1613-1697), better known as Father Chérubin d'Orléans, was interested in the manufacture of optical instruments. In particular, he invented the binocular telescope. Author of several works, La dioptrique oculaire is his first. Between 1670 and 1682, Père Chérubin presented his discoveries to the Académie des Sciences and to the court of King Louis XIV. (Graesse II, 130).