Beschreibung:

CAUS, Salomon de (1576-1626). Les raisons des forces mouvantes avec diverses machines tant utiles que plaisantes. Paris: Hierosme Drou¨art, 1624.
CAUS, Salomon de (1576-1626). Les raisons des forces mouvantes avec diverses machines tant utiles que plaisantes. Paris: Hierosme Drou¨art, 1624. 3 parts, 2° (394 x 266mm). Title of pt. I and II within wide engraved architectural border, one folding woodcut plate at end, illustrations, including 57 full-page or almost full-page engraved and 5 full-page woodcut illustrations, 2 pages of engraved music, initials and headpieces. (Soiled, waterstaining on first title, one engraving cropped with slight loss, some leaves with light marginal waterstaining, a few leaves with marginal worming.) Contemporary calf (head of spine repaired, lightly rubbed, a few scuff marks.) Provenance: Hopetoun (bookplate). New augmented edition, first published in 1615, of this famous work in the history of the invention of the steam engine. The first book deals with moving forces, describing the first machines to be operated by solar power, powered by sunlight striking closed air reservoirs, and one of the earliest uses of steam power. The second book discusses grottos and fountains for palaces and gardens, and the third deals with the construction of organs. Brunet I, 1691.