Lot 24
Poleni, Giovanni (editor) - Sextus Julius Frontinus
De Aquaeductibus Urbis Romae Commentarius
The Library of James Stirling, Mathematician
Auction: 23 October 2025 from 13:00 GMT
Description
antiquae fidei restitutus, atque explicatus. Opera et Studio Joannis Poleni. Padua: J. Manfre, 1722. 4to, 2 leaves of tables, 13 leaves of engraved plates, double-page engraved map in text, contemporary calf gilt, joints a little rubbed, title-page slightly damp-stained
Footnote
Giovanni Poleni (1683-1761) became professor of astronomy at Padua University in 1709. In 1715 he was appointed to the chair in physics, before succeeding Nicolaus Bernoulli as professor of mathematics in 1719. There is a record of James Stirling being at the university in 1721, during his time in Italy. The earliest extant letter to Stirling of a mathematical nature, from Nicolaus Bernoulli in Venice in 1719 (see lot 29), conveys the good wishes of Poleni. In 1728, Stirling wrote to Colin Maclaurin of Poleni's work, De castellis, on fluid mechanics.