MÉCHAIN, Pierre François André (1744-1804) and Jean Baptiste Joseph DELAMBRE (1749-1822). Base du système mètrique décimal, ou mesure de l'arc du méridien compris entre les parallèles de Dunkerque et Barcelone . Paris: Baudouin, 1806-07-10.
MÉCHAIN, Pierre François André (1744-1804) and Jean Baptiste Joseph DELAMBRE (1749-1822). Base du système mètrique décimal, ou mesure de l'arc du méridien compris entre les parallèles de Dunkerque et Barcelone . Paris: Baudouin, 1806-07-10. 3 volumes, 4 o (254 x 199 mm). Half-titles. 26 engraved folding plates and numerous tables in the text. (Some insignificant pale marginal dampstaining, generally crisp and clean.) Contemporary French tree calf gilt, smooth spine gilt, red morocco lettering pieces, marbled edges (lacking free endpapers in vol. 1, some dampstaining, a few small splits to joints). RARE FIRST EDITION OF THE SEMINAL WORK WHICH LED TO THE CREATION OF THE METRIC SYSTEM. In 1790, at the request of Talleyrand, the Académie des Sciences set up a commission to consider the problem of finding a fundamental unit of measurement to replace the various diverse regional systems that had been in use throughout Europe for centuries. The members of the commission included J.C. Borda, Lagrange, Laplace, G. Monge and Condorcet. "In 1791 they reported that the fundamental unit of length should be derived from a dimension of the earth: it should be the ten-millionth part of a quadrant of the earth's meridian extending between Dunkirk and Barcelona... The Constituent Assembly set up a general commission of weights and measures to carry these proposals into effect and in 1795 a law was passed introducing the metric system into France with provisional standards" ( PMM ). The astronomers Delambre and Méchain were appointed to make accurate measurements of the meridian passing through Dunkirk and Barcelona, and their measurements were completed in 1799. The project had numerous delays, including France's political revolution, the tedious calculations in converting one system to another, and the death of Méchain in 1804. Delambre completed the final volume of their report in 1810. Norman 1481; PMM 260. (3)
MÉCHAIN, Pierre François André (1744-1804) and Jean Baptiste Joseph DELAMBRE (1749-1822). Base du système mètrique décimal, ou mesure de l'arc du méridien compris entre les parallèles de Dunkerque et Barcelone . Paris: Baudouin, 1806-07-10.
MÉCHAIN, Pierre François André (1744-1804) and Jean Baptiste Joseph DELAMBRE (1749-1822). Base du système mètrique décimal, ou mesure de l'arc du méridien compris entre les parallèles de Dunkerque et Barcelone . Paris: Baudouin, 1806-07-10. 3 volumes, 4 o (254 x 199 mm). Half-titles. 26 engraved folding plates and numerous tables in the text. (Some insignificant pale marginal dampstaining, generally crisp and clean.) Contemporary French tree calf gilt, smooth spine gilt, red morocco lettering pieces, marbled edges (lacking free endpapers in vol. 1, some dampstaining, a few small splits to joints). RARE FIRST EDITION OF THE SEMINAL WORK WHICH LED TO THE CREATION OF THE METRIC SYSTEM. In 1790, at the request of Talleyrand, the Académie des Sciences set up a commission to consider the problem of finding a fundamental unit of measurement to replace the various diverse regional systems that had been in use throughout Europe for centuries. The members of the commission included J.C. Borda, Lagrange, Laplace, G. Monge and Condorcet. "In 1791 they reported that the fundamental unit of length should be derived from a dimension of the earth: it should be the ten-millionth part of a quadrant of the earth's meridian extending between Dunkirk and Barcelona... The Constituent Assembly set up a general commission of weights and measures to carry these proposals into effect and in 1795 a law was passed introducing the metric system into France with provisional standards" ( PMM ). The astronomers Delambre and Méchain were appointed to make accurate measurements of the meridian passing through Dunkirk and Barcelona, and their measurements were completed in 1799. The project had numerous delays, including France's political revolution, the tedious calculations in converting one system to another, and the death of Méchain in 1804. Delambre completed the final volume of their report in 1810. Norman 1481; PMM 260. (3)
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