TRAITE GENERAL DES HORLOGES. by ALEXANDRE, Dom Jacques (or Allexandre).: - 1734

Paris, Hippolyte Louis Guerin and J. Guerin, 1734.. FIRST EDITION 1734, French text, 8vo, approximately 195 x 125 mm, 7¾ x 5 inches, 27 folding plates in total, numbered I-XXV plus 2 further plates numbered IX* and XXIII*, 4 folding tables, pages: viii, 1-387 including index of authors cited in the Traite, (8) - Errata, Table of contents and Privilege du Roi, bound in full contemporary mottled calf, raised bands and gilt decoration in compartments, gilt lettered morocco label, all edges red. Tiny chips and tiny cracks at head and tail of hinges with slight loss to leather at foot of spine, small hole repaired to head of spine, label slightly chipped, corners slightly worn with boards showing at tips, front inner hinges partly split, small repair to edge of front endpaper, title page lightly browned, faint name in fore-edge margin of title page, small brown stain affects upper edge of first 140 pages gradually diminishing, very occasional slight foxing, small ink stain to 1 margin, small stain on 2 facing pages with loss of 3 letters on each, a few ink notes on rear endpapers. Binding tight and firm. A very good copy. Dom Jacques Alexandre (or Allexandre) (1653-1734) was a learned Benedictine monk, a man of great industry whose leisure was devoted to the study of mathematics and physical and mechanical science. He is known for his two works, "Traite du flux et du reflux de la mer" and the "Traité général des horloges." The latter is a general treatise on the history and the art of constructing time-pieces. It contains a bibliography of writers on the subject of clocks with a brief account of their principal works. Dialling, water clocks and the on wheel clocks, with long description of the more important books. (pages 277-382). See: G.H. Baillie, Clocks and Watches, Volume 1, page, 180; The Clockmakers' Library, compiled by John Bromley, page1, No.10. MORE IMAGES ATTACHED TO THIS LISTING, ALL ZOOMABLE, FURTHER IMAGES ON REQUEST. POSTAGE AT COST.