Georg Cantor | Contributions to the Founding of the Theory of Transfinite Numbers. Chicago, 1915

Cantor, Georg

Contributions to the Founding of the Theory of Transfinite Numbers. Chicago and London: The Open Court Publishing Company, 1915

FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH, 8vo, translated, edited and introduced by Philip E.B. Jourdain, publisher's blue cloth lettered in gilt on upper cover, rubbed, especially at hinges and spine ends, corners bumped

A FOUNDATIONAL WORK OF SET THEORY. Cantor posited the term "transfinite numbers" as part of his work on set theory; it describes numbers that are infinite but countable. This book comprises the two parts of Cantor's seminal paper "Beiträge zur begründung der transfiniten mengenlehre" (1895-1897) together with a long introduction by the logician Philip Jourdain. This is the first appearance of any work by Cantor in English, and is exceptionally rare: we are aware of only one copy having appeared at auction in recent years. 

PROVENANCE:

Marion Reilly (1879-1928), mathematician and leader in women's higher education; The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia; deaccessioned 1980s