POINSOT, Louis Elémens de Statique.
Paris: Calixte-Volland, 1803.

A fine copy of the rare first edition of this classic of which no less than twelve editions appeared between 1803 and 1877. "It was in mechanics that Poinsot most effectively displayed his gift for geometry. Although 'Éléments de Statique' (1803) was merely a manual designed for candidates to the École Polytechnique, the work possessed the great merit of applying geometric methods to the study of elementary problems of mechanics and of introducing the concept of the couple." (DSB, XI, p.62). "Poinsot began in normal style: statics was based on equilibrium, forces could be composed and decomposed, and so on. But then he broke new ground with a discussion of the ‘composition and decomposition of couples’ (ch.1, sect. 2). The couple had long been known in mechanics, but regarded only as a particular system of forces … Poinsot raised its status in mechanics with this discussion.” (Grattan-Guiness). Poinsot devoted his long Chapter 2 to an account of equilibrium, and Chapter 3 to the centre of gravity. (Grattan-Guiness, Convolutions in French Mathematics 1800-1840, Vol. I, pp. 358-360). Scarce.

8vo: 204 x 132 mm. Contemporary calf, spine gilt (top of spine chipped, corners a little worn). Internally fine. (8), 267, (1:blank) pp. and 4 folding engraved plates.