Théorie mathématique de la chaleur [AND] Théorie mathématique de la chaleur; mémoire et notes formant un supplément a l'ouvrage publié sous ce titre. [All published].

Paris, Bachelier, 1835-1837. Two volumes in one. 4to (25.9 x 21.1 cm). Half title, title page, [ii], 532 pp., one folded engraved plate; title page, 72 pp. Contemporary quarter calf over marbled boards. spine with four raised, gilt-lined bands and gilt title. Marbled endpapers. Speckled edges. = The first edition and the only supplement of the important formulation of equations describing the distribution of heat within bodies by the French physicist and mathematician Siméon Denis Poisson (1781-1840). It is rare to see both works combined. "Poisson scored a point in this work by demonstrating how the conductibility of heat in the interior of bodies, far from being contained in the notion of flux as Fourier had held, must be derived from an absorption coefficient that restores a neglected functional dimension." (DSB). "This is the first edition of an important work in which Poisson formulated equations for the distribution of heat in bodies. As opposed to Fourier, who maintained in his Mémoire analytique de la chaleur that the conductibility of heat was contained in the motion of flux, Poisson showed that it must be derived from an absorptive coefficient restoring the neglected functional dimension.One of Poisson's chief treatises." (Roberts & Trent). Boards and spine rubbed with loss of lower spine cover, front board detached. Small old stamp on front flyleaf verso, some scattered foxing, otherwise a very good combined complete set of these two rare works. DSB XV, p. 488; Roberts and Trent, Bibliotheca Mechanica, pp. 260-261.