Padua: Giovanni Manfre/Venice: Francesco Pitteri, 1739-41. First edition. Three parts in one volume. Folio. (iv), 360 pp., with sectional title-pages. Illustrated with engraved printer's device on each sectional title-page, initials, head- and tail-pieces, and in-text and full-page illustrations. Old vellum over boards, morocco spine label, stamped in gilt, boards darkened, wear to spine ends and corners, upper and lower front joint of front board split; top edge stained dark, other edges trimmed; ownership inscription of English architect George Aitchison, Jr., on front paste-down ("George Aitchison / 20 March 1882"), and with his illustrated book-plate below same, also dated March 1882; illustrated book-plate of Naomi Wood on same; old printed catalogue slip on front free endpaper; spotting to title-page and scattered throughout text; short dampstaining in upper gutter of most leaves; faint dampstaining in bottom corner beginning at P2.

A handsome first edition of Paduan scholar, physicist, and mathematician Giovanni Poleni's (1683-1761) scientific study of Vitruvius. Poleni was a professor at Padua University from 1708 until his death: first as Chair of the Astrology and Meteorology, then Chair of Physics (1715), Chair of Mathematics (1719), and finally, Chair of Experimental Philosophy (1738).