Hermann von Helmholtz (1821–1894)

Another book that I read twice cover to cover on the train during commutes... It's fairly dense reading. There's a lot of info in here that is somewhat dated at this point, but also a lot of valuable stuff. Because it's basically "historical" it might be best to read in a guided setting, unless you already have a background in tuning and temperament.

With 5 engraved, 6 lithographed. Plates and 213 text wood engravings. XIV, 874 pages, 1 sheet. Half-leather binding of the period with gold-stamped. Back title. First edition of the famous work with the groundbreaking discoveries on color perception. - With the series title, which is not always present: General Encyclopedia of Physics, Vol. IX. - "Originally issued in parts between 1856 and 1866, the work provided the first real description of optical physiology including the mechanism of show more accommodation, the phenomenon of color vision, and the measurement of lens curvature" (Heirs of Hippocrates 1887). - "Considered the most important book on the physiology of physics and vision" (Horblit 49b). - Leather cover slightly scuffed, rubbed; Endpaper and title stamped, first page. There is some water staining in the header, otherwise there is occasional foxing. - Cushing, H 231. Garrison/Morton 1513. Waller 4299. . show less

Hermann von Helmholtz (1821�1894) is considered to be one of the last polymaths to have lived. He began studying medicine and taught as professor for physiology in Berlin, Königsberg, Bonn, and Heidelberg before becoming a full professor in physics in Berlin. Helmholtz held a lifelong interest for the relationships / connections between the most varied fields of natural science research. His work encompassed not only a theoretical nature, but also included experimental practice and show more application of results as well. show less

A classic text, translated from the fourth (and last) German edition of 1877, with an appendix that updates it to 1885.