René-Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur
French scientist, 1683-1757
Réaumur contributed to many different fields, especially the study of insects. He introduced the Réaumur temperature scale. The Réaumur scale saw widespread use in Europe, particularly in France and Germany as well as Russia, as referenced in works of Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, and Nabokov. By the 1790s, France chose the Celsius scale for the metric system over the Réaumur measurements, but it was used in some parts of Europe until at least the mid-19th century. Its only modern use is in the measuring of milk temperature in cheese production.
Source: Wikipedia
Naturforscher (1683-1757). Document signed ("de Reaumur"). [Paris]. 20.02.1743. 1 S. Gr.-8vo.
$ 2,989 / 2.800 €
(32897/BN27582)
In French: “By order of the Academy we have read the Letters Patent of Oct. 26 1742 by which the King grants to Sir Francois Fresneau, former surgeon on His Majesty’s ships, the exclusive privilege of constructing, selling, and distributing, for a period of 30 years, a stove invented by him for different kitchen procedures using a single flame [...] we declare that this stove can be very useful, provided that the author does not multiply its operations excessively [...]”. Signed by de Reaumur, with counter-signatures by fellow members of the Academy of Sciences Jean Hellot and Louis-Léon Pajot d’Onsenbray.
Also endorsed in the upper right by Francois Fresneau, providing the date. In very good condition, with intersecting folds. Uniform toning, with a few spots and ink flecks along bottom. A rare association of prominent scientists of the period..