B chapter.indd - Charles Babbage Institute - University of Minnesota

Erwin Tomash Library
Baker, Humphrey Baker, Humphrey
concepts. For example, when defining number, he used
the Pythagorean approach that one (1) is not a proper
number, but the progenitor of all other numbers (see the
illustration of number definition page).
After discussing the simple arithmetic operations, he
covers fractions and makes a few remarks on mixedradix
arithmetic (days, hours, minutes; pounds, shillings,
pence) and the usual procedures for rule of three, etc.
The last half of the book deals with problems of concern
to merchants and others participating in commerce, and
closes with tables giving equivalents of weights and
measures in various cities.
Sample table, B 79
Number definition, B 79
Illustrations available:
Title page (not contemporary with this volume – see collation
above)
Number definition page
Sample tables page
B 80
Baker, Humphrey (fl.1557–1587)
B 80
The wel spring of sciences. Which teacheth the
perfect worke and practise of arithmeticke, both in
whole numbers and fractions : set foorth by Humfrey
Baker Londoner. 1562. And now once againe perused
augmented, and amended in all the three parts, by the
sayde authour: whereunto he hath also added certain
tables of the agreement of measures and waights of
diverse places of Europe, the one with the other, as by
the table following it may appeare.
Year: 1591
Place: London
Publisher: Thomas Purfoote
Edition: 9th
Language: English
Binding: later full red morocco leather with raised bands on
spine; gilt decorations
Pagination: ff. [7], 137, 137–198 (misnumbering 196 as 198),
[24]
Collation: A 8 (-A2) B–V 8 W–Z 8 2A–2D 8 2E 7
Size: 136x90 mm
Reference: H&J
This is the ninth edition of Baker’s Well spring of sciences.
It is in much better condition than the copy of the seventh
edition described above. A contemporary hand has made
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