Magic squares of (2n+1)2 cells. Avec sommaire: les carrés magiques impairs

London: Rider & Co, 1936. FIRST EDITION. Numerous text diagrams. Publisher’s cloth, author and title in gilt on front cover and spine, original dust wrapper a bit worn around the edges and spine with small tears to the edges. First edition. For those of you who don’t know, “a square of (2n+1)2 cells containing the numbers from 1 to (2N+1)2 is called magic when the numbers in each column, in each row and in each of the two diagonals sum to the same amount.” Recognizing that magic squares have always been a source of interest to the mathematically-minded, the author here offers this work as a curiosity to the public, explaining how magic squares are obtainable from what is called “order 5” all the way through “order 15.” The public is treated to an explanation of the step-by-step process of how to obtain the various magic squares. A summary in French is included at the end.

This work proved popular enough for a follow-up, a Supplement to magic squares, published in 1939.