NICHOLSON, William.
A Dictionary of Chemistry, exhibiting the present state of the theory and practice of that science, its application to natural philosophy, the processes of manufactures, metallurgy, and numerous other arts dependent on the properties and habitudes of bodies, in the mineral, vegetable and animal kingdoms.
London: Printed for G.G. and J. Robinson,1795
2 volumes, 4to, pp. viii, 576; (ii), 577–1132, 4 engraved plates (2 of them double-page tables). Part of vol. 2 printed on different paper and slightly browned, otherwise a very clean set. Contemporary speckled calf, joints and ends of spines neatly repaired, spines ruled in gilt with red morocco labels. Spines slightly darkened, a few scuff marks on sides, but a nice set. Armorial bookplate of William Rashleigh (1777–1855), nephew of Philip Rashleigh (1729–1811), the mineralogist and antiquary, whose estates passed to his nephew on his death; hence this was probably also Philip Rashleigh’s copy.
FIRST EDITION of Nicholson’s large dictionary of chemistry, “the first dictionary of chemistry by an Englishman, superseding the English translation of Macquer’s dictionary (London, 1771) by the Scot James Keir. Although preferring the antiphlogistic theory of Lavoisier, Nicholson also presents the phlogistic alternative. This work is important for containing one of the earliest English versions of the table of the new chemical nomenclature from the Méthode de nomenclature chimique (Paris, 1787) by Lavoisier et al” (Neville). Cole 974. Neville II, p. 227. Duveen & Klickstein 137.
£1,600.00
In stock
Unsure of some of these terms? Click here to download a copy of Carter & Barker, ABC for Book Collectors (2006), which has full explanations.