MENTAL PRODIGIES, 4 VOLUMES

i. Colburn, Zerah (1804-1840). A memoir of Zerah Colburn; written by himself… Springfield, Mass., 1833, FIRST EDITION, 8vo, contemporary speckled calf, modern folding cloth box, (bought from AGatherin', Wynastskill, NY, 1980), [T&W C116; Checklist of American imprints 18332; Origins of Cyberspace 252], some spotting and damp-staining, slight splitting at gutterii. Binet, Alfred (1857-1911). Psychologie des grands calculateurs et joueurs d’échecs. Paris: Hachette, 1894, FIRST EDITION, 8vo, 8pp. publisher’s catalogue at end, original printed wrappers, modern folding cloth box, (bought from Jeremy Norman, San Francisco, 1994), [T&W B154], some spotting and browning, hinges splitting with old repair, ownership marks, binding worniii. Barlow, Fred. Mental prodigies. New York: Philosophical Library, 1952, FIRST EDITION, 8vo, original cloth, dust-jacket, [T&W B91], price-clipped dust-jacket worn with some lossiv. Barlow, Fred. Mental prodigies. London: Hutchinson’s, 1952, reprint, 8vo, original cloth, dust-jacket, [cf. T&W B91], extremities of slightly soiled dust-jacket frayed

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Zerah Colburn (1833-1870) was one of the nineteenth-century calculating prodigies. His autobiographical sketch discusses the methods he used and the tables he memorized. The volume by Alfred Binet (1857-1911) is part of his studies in mental processes and examines several calculating prodigies, including Jacques Inaudi.