Sir Thomas Phillipps: Improved Numeration Table, ca. 1829

RLIN ID No.
NYGG04-A8

Main Entry
Phillipps, Thomas, Sir, 1792-1872.

Title
Improved numeration table, to facilitate and extend astronomical calculations [proof sheet with a related autograph manuscript], ca. 1829.

Physical Description
1 manuscript (single folio sheet) ; 49 x 62 cm., folded to 25 x 32 cm.
1 proof sheet (4 p.) : 17 cm.

Historical/Biographical Note
English antiquary and bibliophile. His collection of Easter, Continental and British manuscripts eventually numbered over 60,000. Phillipps established the Middle Hill Press at his estate in Worcestershire. After reading an account of the English mathematician John Wallis (1616-1703) and his work on devising a means of expression for super-large numbers, he created this table.

Scope and Contents Note
The manuscript includes Phillipps’s calculation of the number of grains of sand in the earth. The proof sheet contains autograph additions in pencil.

General Note
Printed at Middle Hill Press in 1829.

General Note
Laid in modern folding cloth box with other items; spine lettered in gilt: Phillipps Private Papers/Miscellaneous Autograph Manuscripts of Sir Thomas Phillipps/Numeration Table.

Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchase; Sotheby’s auction no. 3243, Lot 0058, London; 2003/12/02.

Provenance
Formerly owned by Martin Schoyer of Spikkestad, Norway who purchased it from the dealer H. P. Kraus of New York City. Previously owned by W. H. Robinson, Ltd of London. It would have been one of the many Phillipps manuscripts sold at one of the numerous sales of his collections by Sotheby’s starting in 1886.

Names
Schoyer, Martin, former owner.
Wallis, John, 1616-1703.

Subjects
Astronomy, Mathematics. Tables.

Genre
Proofs. England. 19th century.

Occupation (as reflected in collection)
Mathematics. England. 19th century.

Location
Grolier Club, 47 East 60th Street, New York, N.Y. 10022-1098.