This auction is for a SCARCE GEORGIAN (during the reign of George IV) hardback edition entitled A Grammar of Natural and Experimental Philosophy, by Rev. David Blair, with dozens of illustrations (such as The Great Eclipse of the Sun in 1820 ), and with FIVE fold-out illustrations (two of which are loose). In all there are THIRTY PLATES (25 full-page and 5 fold-out) It was published by Sir Richard Phillips & Co., of London, in 1822 (date of preface).
The fold out plates are: Map of Solar System (loose with tear)
clouds, Variations of day & Night & the Seasons (orbit of Earth with the Sun)
Phases of the Moon, General Order of the Strata of the Crust of the Earth… and many more …
The contents include: Physics, Dynamics, Mechanics, Hydrostatics. Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Acoustics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Electricity, Magnetics, Geology, Mineralogy, Meteorology. The book measures 5.5 inches x 3.75 inches and is 1.25 inches thick!
The 398 pages are generally neat, save a tear in the map of the Solar System, no loss, see photo) and a little faded with age, with foxing near the covers/rims. The binding is fragile, but with no missing pages save one plate of the tides at page 128 – there are 30 plates and should be 31). There is a previous owner’s name at the front, and a few light pencil markings in the margins of the first few pages. The original leather bound hardback cover is in fair condition for its age, with very heavy wear and is grubby. The front board is detached.