Machines et inventions approuvées par l'Academie Royale des Sciences. 6 vols. - [DEPICTING ALL INVENTIONS APPROVED L'ACADEMIE ROYALE DES SCIENCES]

1735. Paris, chez Gabriel Martin, 1735. 4to (262 x 210 mm). Uniformly bound in seven nice contemporary full calf bindings with five raised bands and richly gilt spines. Light wear to extremities. Vol. 4 with lower compartment of spine missing part of the leather. Internally with light occassional marginal miscolouring. Vol. 5 with damp stain affecting lower outer corner of first 14 leaves. An overall fine complete set with all half titles and 433 plates (1-429, plus 105*, 177*, 329* and 2 additional plates numbered 341, but 197-8 on one sheet). Vol 1: VIII, (4), 215 pp + 67 folded plates. Vol 2: (4), V, (3), 192 pp + 73 folded plates (numbered 68 to 139)Vol 3: (4), V, (3), 205 pp. + 75 folded plates (numbered 140 to 214)Vol 4: (4), V, (3), 239 pp. + 81 folded plates (numbered 215 to 295). Vol 5: (4), V, (3), 173 pp. + 66 folded plates (numbered 296 to 360). Vol 6: (4), V, (3), 196, (35) pp. + 69 folded plates (numbered 361 to 429) First edition of this important and extensive work containing both descriptions and engravings of all the inventions approved from the beginning of the French “l'Academie Royale des Sciences” in 1666. “Thus, it documents the increasing interest in technology during this period in France. The devices are simply described in chronolopgical order. They cover all the areas then known in arts, sciences, engineering and manufacturing” (Erwin Tomash). It constitute one of the most important historical sources for the study of the manufactures of the late 17th and early 18th century. The inventors included Godin and Outhier - who were involved in the expedition to measure the arc of the meridian with their instruments -, Dortous de Mairan, Cassini, Clairaut le père, l'abbé Nollet, Huygens, Perrault, Gauger, Le Maire, De La Hire, Morland,and in particular the arithmetic machines of Pascal (vol.4, plates 262-263), Lépine (vol.4, plates 259-261), and Hillerin de Boistissandeau (vol.5, plates 341-343). Gallon (1706-75), a French engineer, was commissioned by the Academy to edit the descriptions made of the machinery that they approved. The Academy added another volume forty-two years later (1777), after Gallon's death. Brunet I, 27 Graesse Vol. 1, p. 10. Tomash & Williams G22