1754 Dialoghi Analittici di Francesco Saverio Brunetti. Chess, mathematics, etc.. Fold-outs.

Francesco Saverio Brunetti's 1754 work on applied mathematics, Dialoghi Analittici (or Analitici, per second title page). With many algebraic and geometric examples, and two fold-outs (one, a chart of geometric values, the other a water lifting machine). Also, chapter ten includes forty-three chess game scenarios resulting in wins.

Title page translates roughly, Useful and Playful Questions Resulting from the Excellent Signora Giacinta Otsini of the sweet Gravina. With highly pleasurable talents on various subjects, and individually on the game of chess ("Quesiti utili e giocondi risoluti dall' eccellentissima Signora D. Giacinta Otsini de duchi di Gravina. Con alte piacevolesse d'ingegno su varie materie e singolarmente sul giuoco degli scacchi.")

I am not fluent in Italian: I take the impression, from the 1st page, that a woman wrote him telling him that his work on solving equations, using a binary technique, was overly complicated, and the application of which dealt with too quickly. This book is Brunetti's response, showing practical examples of how to apply mathematical concepts to life. In such, he includes a number of chapters with different examples, including chapter ten, which delves into chess. The last chapter proposes a perpetual machine for water lifting; perhaps to feed a water feature, until water losses required refilling (perhaps it was used in 18th century Italy as they did like their gardens).

About Brunetti -

"Francesco Saverio Brunetti was born in Corinaldo in 1693. From the earliest age he gave studies to the Mathematical and Philosophical Sciences. He moved to Rome in 1711. He advanced rapidly there, particularly in the aforementioned sciences, which were taught to him first by the Convittori del Seminario Romano, and then by the Cistercian Padri of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, then by varying Roman Characters, among whom are the Card. Mattei , Monsig. Baldassarre Čenci, Monsig. Albani, la Sig. Duchessa d'Arce, and Sig. Principessa Giustiniani. Brunetti was also the chaplain of the Supreme Pontiffs Clement XII; Benedict XIV; and in 1759 Clement XIII. He is the brother of Fr. Francesco Felice Brunetti. – (Gli scrittori d'Italia, Conte Giammaria Mazzuchelli Bresciano, p. 2174, 1793)"

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 24 x 18 x 2 cm, 4to. Vellum binding covering boards. Title in gilt on spine, over faux (colored) label, with frame of gilt. Ties for endbands at top and bottom of joints. Blue and white endbands. Page edges with red decorative application. Printer's mark on title page. Several engraved decorative devices. A number of geometric examples inline. Several geometric engravings. Two fold-outs, one a geometric table, the other a water lifting machine.

Pages - Title page, vi (three leaves of dedication), 2nd title page, vi (3 more leaves of introductory fare), 144

Signed - *4, *4, S4

Probably missing a frontispiece. A copy, bound with another book, did have a folded frontispiece, recorded in Worldcat and sold recently, but then another copy, bound alone, held in Rome, did not... as well as the copy scanned to Google Books, does not. Was that frontis added in binding the multi-volume copy, or a part of the original printing of the 1754 book? I found an older mention of the frontis (Biblioteca Matematica Italiana, 1870), but again, that might have been added to the copy. I haven't found a good early trustable catalogue reference and I haven't seen the frontis. I don't know, but the book is quite rare, regardless, so I will not lower the price and make note here of the possibly missing frontis.

Condition -

See pictures. Fairly clean, but the vellum has tightened pulling the board edges back to make the book slightly splayed. Top edge has almost no dust, indicating it's been kept in a closed bookcase. One tiny worm hole at top of spine. Blank flyleaves removed at both ends (likely used to repair another book from the period).

Please read note above on possibly missing frontis.

Several erased pencil note remnants on pastedown. Text block has the occasional rust and fox spot throughout. 2 cm worm track on 2nd title page, with light thumb at corner. .5 cm hole near top edge of *2. Starting at signature A, and continuing through D (p.32) toning to pages with a moisture mark in fore-edge margin (does not extend into text). Chip at top-edge of page 15. Occasional toning later in book, but mostly free of it with wide margins. Thumb at top of 131. Two fold-out plates fairly toned. Pencil bibliographic notes on rear pastedown. Mostly a handsome and clean book, with only some toning and foxing.