Commercial Mathematical Exercises [manuscript].
1706
Items
Details
Title
Commercial Mathematical Exercises [manuscript].
Created/published
England?, circa 1706/1718.
Description
66 p.
Note
This is a PRELIMINARY RECORD. It may contain incorrect information. The "FAST ACC" number is a temporary call number. Please email catalog@folger.edu for assistance.
Genre/form
Manuscripts (documents)
Place of creation/publication
Great Britain -- England.
Item Details
Call number
FAST ACC 271241 (folio)
Folger-specific note
From dealer's description: "An Early 18th Century Volume of Commercial Mathematical Exercises. 66pp ms. in an exceptionally neat & decorative hand, on rectos only of 132 folio leaves with two watermarks, 'C & I H' & 'Pro Patria'. Bound with numerous blanks in contemp. full vellum, blocked in gilt on both boards with the royal crest; a little soiled. Modern bookplate of Phillip E H Samuel on leading pastedown. v.g. [87162] A highly accomplished and attractive exercise book belonging to a young gentleman. The royal coat of arms includes the inscription 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' used as the motto for the British chivalric Order of the Garter. It was also used as the Motto for Queen Anne. A possible date for the volume is inferred by one of the mathematical questions. 'A house was taken in ye year 1660 for 70 years I would know how many years are expired. The equation given is 1660 subtracted from 1720 (presumably the current year). Another question asks: 'What is ye interest of £631.11.10 lent from ye 17th of October 1706 to ye 22nd of Feb. 1718 at £4.15 P.A. paid simpl. interest'. The student compiler of this volume heralds quite clearly from a wealthy family, with the coat of arms indicating a high aristocratic lineage. Together with examples of addition, subtraction, multiplication and various other mathematical equations, many of the problems posed relate to finance or business preparing the pupil for the future management of their wealth. Page six includes questions relating to the importation of tobacco and sugar; seven pages are dedicated to the exchange rate of various European currencies with the questions relating to transactions between merchants, three pages relate to the mathematics of bartering and another five to companies with, and without time." Ordered from Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers D9308, 2019-05-30, Cat. Book Fair 2019.