Beschreibung:

Title: Tabulae motuum solis et lunae novae et correctae... quibus accedit methodus longitudinum promota... Author: Mayer, Johann Tobias Place: London Publisher: William and John Richardson for John Nourse, John Mount and Thomas Page Date: 1770 Description: [8], 136, cxxx, [2] pp. With 2 folding engraved plates. (4to) 27x21 cm (10½x8¼"), period tree calf, rebacked with later calf, morocco lettering piece. An important work in the annals of astronomy, cartography and navigation. In 1752 Mayer, a cartographer and astronomer, "drew up new lunar and solar tables, in which he attained an accuracy of +_1', an achievement attributable to his skillful use of observational data, rather than to the originality of his theory or the superiority of his instruments" (DSB). He sent a copy of the tables in 1755 to the Lords Commissioner of the British Admiralty, hoping to receive the prize promised to anyone who could devise a method for determining longitude at sea. Although he failed to win the prize, Mayer continued to improve the tables until his death in 1762, and in 1763 his widow submitted a copy of the revised tables to the Board of Longitude, who thought the improved tables useful enough to grant her a prize of 3000 pounds. The astronomer Nevil Maskelyne had used Mayer's tables successfully in 1761 on a mission to St. Helena to determine the reliability of the lunar distance method for determining longitude at sea, and he took on the responsibility of editing the tables and supervising their publication. Norman 1468; Sotheran I, 2934-5. Old ink signature of Duncannon to top of title page. Lot Amendments Condition: Some rubbing and wear to covers; some scattered light foxing, very good or better. Item number: 286248