NEWTON, Isaac (1642-1727). The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended. To Which is Prefix'd, a Short Chronicle from the First Memory of Things in Europe, to the Conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great. London: J. Tonson, J. Osborn and T. Longman, 1728.

First edition. This work is Newton's attempt to determine the dates of historical events based on astronomical observations made in antiquity and in the Bible. He was aware that his efforts could be controversial (especially so in light of his anti-Trinitarianism) and did not seek publication. However, Caroline, the Princess of Wales requested that he provide an abstract to her personally in 1716. He did so, she shared it with the French ambassador, and the ambassador had it translated whereupon it indeed engender the controversy that Newton had feared. He wrote this version in order to justify more fully the claims put forth in the abstract, but it was published only posthumously. The three plates all depict detailed plans of his reconstruction of the Temple of Solomon, based on his close reading of the Bible. Babson 214; Hammond, p.62ff; Wallis 309.

Quarto (230 x 170mm). Engraved headpiece and initial by P. Foudrinier, three folding engraved plates (B1 and E1 with repaired lower blank corners, some scattered spots to text, pale foxing to plates). Contemporary calf (rebacked with new endpapers, recornered). Provenance: William Wells of Holme Wood (bookplate).