[NEWTON, Isaac, Sir (1642-1727)]. Opticks: or, a Treatise of the Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions and Colours of Light. Also Two Treatises of the Species and Magnitude of Curvilinear Figures. London: Sam. Smith and Benj. Walford, 1704.

The Haskell Norman copy of the first edition, first issue, of Newton’s revolutionary work on light and color, the title printed in red and black within a border, and the imprint without the author's name, the two treatises on calculus at end. Opticks contains Newton's account of his discoveries concerning light, from his first published paper in 1672 onward, including his work on the spectrum of sunlight, the degrees of refraction associated with different colors, the color circle, the rainbow, "Newton's rings," and his invention of the reflecting telescope. "Newton’s Opticks did for light what his Principia had done for gravitation, namely, placed it on a scientific basis" (Babson, p.66). Babson 132; Dibner, Heralds of Science 148; Grolier/Horblit 79b; Norman 1588; PMM 172.

Quarto (240 x 170mm). Title page printed in red and black, 19 engraved plates (most trimmed to platemark, a handful of shaved captions and marginal stains). Contemporary blind-stamped mottled calf (rebacked, preserving original label). Provenance: Le Gendre Pierce Starkie (1799-1865; armorial bookplate) – Haskell F. Norman, MD (bookplate; his sale, Christie's, 15 June 1998, lot 694).