Sale 2501 - Early Printed, Medical, Scientific & Travel Books, March 7, 2019

239 c   MOORE, JONAS, Sir; and FLAMSTEED, JOHN. A New Systeme of Mathematicks. Volume 1 (of 2). 24 (of ?) engraved plates and numerous text diagrams, including plate with working volvelle facing page 254 and text engraving with working volvelle on page 262 in first part. [18] (of [20]), 288; [12], 104; [2], 161 pages, with correction slip mounted on page 185 in first part; lacks the engraved additional title and an undetermined number of plates, including the celestial charts and hemispheric maps. 3 parts in one volume. 4to, 231x181 mm, modern blind-ruled leather in period style with morocco lettering piece; occasional heavy soiling, scattered foxing, stains, and ink blots, early owner’s inscription on general title. London: A. Godbid and J. Playford for Robert Scott, 1681 [500/750] first edition of a textbook intended for use at the Royal Mathematical School of Christ’s Hospital. The second part is Flamsteed’s The Doctrine of the Sphere, also published separately. BEA, page 374; Wing M2579. science , continued 240 240 c   PRIESTLEY, JOSEPH. Experiments and Observations on Different Kinds of Air. 6 engraved plates, including 3 folding. xxiii, [5], 324; xliv, 399, [17]; xxxiv, 411, [11] pages, including 4-page catalogue of publications by Priestley at end. 3 volumes (third edition of the first volume, second edition of the second, first edition of the third) * Philosophical Empiricism: containing Remarks on a Charge of Plagiarism respecting Dr. H———s, interspersed with Various Observations relating to Different Kinds of Air. [4], 84 pages. first edition * Experiments and Observations relating to Various Branches of Natural Philosophy; with a Continuation of the Observations on Air. 3 folding engraved plates. xxxii, 490, [6]; xvi, [10], [xvii]-xx, 408, [6]; xxxii, 454, [2] pages, including catalogue of publications by Priestley and blank leaf at end of each volume. first edition . Together, 3 works in 7 volumes, bound in 6. 8vo, 208x123 mm, modern uniform 1 / 4 calf gilt, spines slightly faded; contents evenly browned with scattered and occasionally heavy foxing, varying offsetting from plates. London: J. Johnson, 1781-84-77; 1775; 1779-81-86 [800/1,200] Priestley’s complete Experiments and Observations on gases, together with his rebuttal of plagiarism allegations made by Bryan Higgins. “Priestley’s hundreds of experiments on different types of ‘air’ led to the identification of numerous gases, including ammonia, nitrogen dioxide and (most importantly) oxygen, which he obtained by heating mercuric oxide. Although the Swedish chemist Scheele had succeeded in isolating oxygen at least two years before Priestley, Priestley was long credited with the discovery of oxygen, as he was the first to publish his discovery”—Norman 1750 (first edition of the first work). Neville II, 335, 341, 338.