Isaac Newton’s Opticks

A book about light that plays with light itself. This edition of Newton’s Opticks (1704) features a holographic cover that reflects and decomposes light, gradient-colored pages that shift hue chapter by chapter, and approximately 500 pages of Newton’s groundbreaking research on the nature of light and color.

40€

In stock

CategoryIsaac Newton

Description

A Book About Light Designed to Interact With Light

There is no art without perception of colors and light. We set out to create a unique book, following the philosophy of our previous publications: a book able to capture the attention not only of scientists excited about Newton's optics, but also artists and designers.

Isaac Newton proved that white light is composed of a spectrum of colors by passing sunlight through a prism. This edition of his Opticks honors that discovery with a cover that does the same thing: a holographic film reflects light and displays shifting colors depending on the viewing angle, making Newton's experiment tangible every time you pick up the book.

Design That Serves the Science

Holographic cover: Reflective film decomposes light into colors, mirroring Newton's prism experiments
Gradient-colored pages: Interior pages transition through colors, with each chapter defined by a distinct hue visible along the cloth-lined spine
Stamped engravings: Original illustrations from Newton's work reproduced with care
Handcrafted production: Cloth spine, premium paper, attention to every tactile detail
Complete text: All of Newton's experiments, observations, and theories on light and color

What Newton's Opticks Covers

Published in 1704, Opticks presents Newton's systematic experiments on:

How prisms decompose white light into a spectrum of colors
Reflection and refraction of light
The formation of rainbows and color phenomena in thin films
The corpuscular theory of light
Newton's rings and interference patterns
The relationship between light and heat

This work established the scientific method of optical experimentation and influenced two centuries of physics research, from Young's double-slit experiment to Maxwell's electromagnetic theory.

Perfect For

Physicists, optics researchers, and engineering students
Designers and artists interested in color theory and its origins
Book collectors who appreciate innovative design and fine printing
Science gift seekers looking for something truly original
Anyone curious about how Newton proved white light contains all colors

This book is unique, made almost by hand. A beautiful book to collect, touch, browse or offer as a gift.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the holographic cover really reflect colors like a prism?

Yes. The cover uses a holographic reflective film that decomposes and reflects light into a spectrum of colors, changing appearance depending on the viewing angle. It is a tactile reference to Newton's famous prism experiment that proved white light contains all colors.

Is this the complete text of Newton's Opticks?

Yes. This edition contains the complete text of Newton's Opticks (first published in 1704), including all his experiments on reflection, refraction, the decomposition of light, and his famous queries on the nature of light.

What do the gradient-colored pages look like?

The interior pages transition through different colors, with each chapter defined by a distinct hue. The color changes are visible along the cloth-lined spine, creating a visual spectrum effect when the book is closed.

Is this a good gift for a designer or artist?

Absolutely. Newton's Opticks is the origin of modern color theory, and this edition's holographic cover and gradient-colored interior make it a conversation piece that bridges science, art, and design. It appeals to anyone interested in how light and color work.