Lipsiae, J. Grossius, 1700. Small 4to (19.6 x 15.8 cm). pp. 198-208, in the complete volume for the year 1700, containing a total of 586 pp. and ten plates. Contemporary vellum binding with leather title label and gilt lettering.

Leibniz' reaction to Nicolas Fatio de Duillier, at the height of the controversy between Leibniz and Newton over the invention of calculus. Up until 1693 the method of fluxions (which had been invented by Newton, and had been of great assistance to him in his mathematical investigations) was still, except to Newton and his friends, a secret. Newton admirers in the Netherlands informed him that the method of fluxions had been introduced there under the name of Gottfried Leibniz's Calculus Differentialis. In 1699, Nicolas Fatio de Duillier published a tract in which he stated that Newton was by several years the first inventor of the calculus, and insinuated that Leibniz had stolen the idea. It was the start of a serious controversy between Leibniz and Newton, carried on by their followers for years after both famous mathematicians had died. In this article in the Acta Eruditorum, Leibniz replied to Fatio de Duilleir by citing Newton's letters and the testimony that Newton had rendered to him in the Principia as proofs of his independent authorship of the method. A very good copy in contemporary vellum; ancient library stamp and superimposed cancellation stamp on verso of title, small paper label with call number on bottom of spine and removed paste on inside cover. Vellum on covers discoloured, first few pages age-toned, but in general a nice, clean copy.