ROBISON, John.

Edinburgh: Printed for John Murray, London.1822

4 volumes, 8vo, 3 leaves, pp. (v)-x, 713; 2 leaves, pp. (iii)–x, 708 [i.e. 712, page nos. 182-184 repeated]; 2 leaves, pp. 803; 2 leaves, pp. 684, and 50 folding engraved plates with numerous figures of machinery and instruments. Lacking a sub-title at the beginning of vol. 2 as in at least one other copy seen (NYPL). Paper of plates browned, occasional foxing (heavy in margins of some leaves of vol. 2). Contemporary half calf, spines ruled in gilt (but the gilt now dull), dark red morocco labels on spines, tips of corners a little worn. Small withdrawn library stamp on versos of titles.

FIRST EDITION. Robison, who died in 1805, was a principal contributor to the third edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. His articles included two on steam and steam engines, which were republished by James Watt, the famous engineer and inventor, in 1818, and constitute Watt’s only publication on his inventions. The majority of Robison’s articles as well as some other material are here republished, and the editor Brewster prevailed on Watt to bring the two on steam engines up to date with notes and additions. Robison was himself acquainted with Watt; indeed it was he who first directed Watt’s attention to the steam engine, as Robison himself recounts in volume 2. The first volume is on dynamics, projectiles, corpuscular action (including Boscovich’s theory), and strength of materials (a term he was apparently the first to use). The second includes the articles on steam, and hydraulics; the third is on astronomy, the telescope and pneumatics; and the fourth is on electricity, magnetism, sound, music, watch-work, and seamanship (Robison represented the Board of Longitude in testing Harrison’s chronometer). Roberts & Trent, Bibliotheca mechanica, 280. Ekelöf 553. Wheeler Gift 791. Norman Catalogue 1839

Unsure of some of these terms? Click here to download a copy of Carter & Barker, ABC for Book Collectors (2006), which has full explanations.