The Great Architect: As Manifested in the Material Universe, Mungo Ponton

£275.00

The Great Architect: As Manifested in the Material Universe, Mungo Ponton

Name: The Great Architect: As Manifested in the Material Universe, Mungo Ponton
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5938
Price: 275.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£275.00

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

The Great Architect: As Manifested in the Material Universe, Mungo Ponton — 2nd Edition

Publication: London; Edinburgh; and New York, T. Nelson and Sons, 1866

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 276.

Condition Report: Good. The original plum pebble-grain publisher's cloth remains structurally sound, with its blind strapwork and the central gilt vignette of a spiral nebula still distinct on the front board. The spine is heavily sunned to a tan-brown and presents a noticeable dark splash-stain to the lower and middle portions, while the gilt spine titles are partially rubbed but remain entirely legible. The extremities exhibit moderate bumping, softening, and rubbing typical of mid-Victorian cloth bindings. Internally, the binding holds firm without cracking to the hinges. The text block shows general age-toning and mild scattered foxing, though the remarkable chromolithographic and black-and-white plates, particularly the vibrant depictions of various spectra, remain uncommonly bright, clean, and striking, justifying the grade despite the external spine wear.

Catalogue Note: This is the Second Edition overall, but importantly, it is the true First Edition under this title (having originally been published in 1863 under the title The Material Universe: Its Vastness and Durability). This updated issue incorporates a new appendix containing recent astronomical observations and discoveries.

The author, Mungo Ponton (1801–1880), was a Scottish inventor who made critical early contributions to photography, discovering the light-sensitive quality of sodium dichromate in 1839. This discovery formed the basis of nearly all photomechanical processes.

The text is beautifully illustrated with plates, including several superb chromolithographs demonstrating light refraction, the solar spectrum, and Fraunhofer lines.

Due to its early photographic and scientific significance, original copies of this work have become incredibly scarce on the open market.

A fascinating Victorian exploration of the cosmos, The Great Architect blends 19th-century theology with cutting-edge astronomy and physics. Mungo Ponton offers a compelling, condensed argument for intelligent design through the sheer vastness and structural perfection of the material universe. From the intricacies of the Milky Way and the solar system to the behaviour of light, optics, and the early science of photography, Ponton presents a universe governed by a divine, unifying intelligence, beautifully illustrated with pioneering scientific colour plates.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Mungo Ponton

Book Publisher: T. Nelson and Sons

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Science & Medical

Book edition: Second Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 276

Book Publication Year: 1866

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.