BOSCOVICH, Ruggero Giuseppe. Elementorum Universae Matheseos.Roma, Generoso Salomoni, 1754.

3 vols. 8vo, mm. 210x140; Quarter vellum binding of the XIX century, gilt titles on label at the spine; pp. 2, 324, 5 copper plates out text and 3 tables out text; pp. 2, 324; pp. XXVI, 2, 468, 7 copper plates. A total of 12 copper plates. Stamp of extinct library on Title page.

First edition of Boscovich textbook of mathematics, with the addition of the important third volume with original materials. The work was updated on the basis of the main research of the time in the field of calculus. Of particular interest are the signs of Boscovich that take into account the possibility of non-Euclidean geometry.

Whyte: These passages suggest that Boscovich had an attitude not far removed from that of the later non-Euclideans: Lobachevsky, Lambert, Gauss… May we not, therefore, regard Boscovich at least as a precursor of those who were later to place the study of non-Euclidean geometry on a firm basis?” Missing the plate II at the end of the third vol., Fine copy.

Riccardi, I, 177, n.11;; Sommervogel, I, 1836-7, n. 47; Whyte, p. 190 e 217.