Moivre | The doctrine of chances, London, 1718, contemporary speckled calf

Abraham de Moivre

The doctrine of chances: or, a method of calculating the probability of events in play. London: W. Pearson, for the author, 1718

4to (253 x 184mm.), engraved vignette on title-page, engraved headpiece and initial at start of text, engraved tailpieces, contemporary speckled calf, spine gilt in compartments, occasional light foxing, binding rubbed, lacking lettering-piece, upper cover almost detached

FIRST EDITION of de Moivre's handbook on probability theory, which had first been discussed by de Moivre in front of the Royal Society in 1711. The article in that year's Transactions was expanded to book length, covering gard games, dicing, lotteries and raffles, and was further expanded for later editions in 1738 and 1756. Despite being aimed at gamesters, the mathematical content of the treatise was substantial; de Moivre's preface addressed to Isaac Newton acknowledges that "the greatest help I have receiv'd in writing upon this subject [was] from your incomparable works, especially your method of series."

LITERATURE

ESTC T33065

PROVENANCE

Presentation inscription from William Johnston to James Johnston dated 1785 at head of title-page; James Johnston, armorial bookplate with motto "Nunquam non paratus"