Description

Conversations on Chemistry, In which the Elements of that Science are familiarly explained and illustrated by Experiment and Plates. To Which are Added, Some late Discoveries on the subjects of the Fixed Alkalies, by H. Davy. A Description and Plate of the Pneumatic Cistern of Yale College — and, a Short Account of Artificial Mineral Waters in the United States with an Appendix, Consisting of Treatises on Dyeing, Tanning and Currying, From Sidney’s Press. For Increase Cooke & Co. Book-sellers, N. Haven, 1809, 357 pp plus appendix and publisher’s list, full leather, 4.5 x 7.5”, 12mo. In good condition. Nice original leather. Typical scuffing with rounded corners. Light creasing and cracking along spine. Four small bore holes from worm damage on top compartment of spine. Lightly cracked rear hinge along bottom compartment exposing binding. Small patch of old-repaired leather on rear board. Torn front fly leaf. Text block typically toned with moderate foxing. Binding slightly shaken, but intact. Unmarked. Please see photos. New Haven edition with Yale frontis. Possibly first American edition? Born in London to Swiss parents, Jane Marcet married John Gaspard Marcet in 1799. Although published anonymously, this work was quickly recognized to be by Mrs. Marcet. It is written in an easy dialogue style, in which Marcet “Mrs. B” instructs two young ladies in the principles and discoveries of modern chemistry. Evidently printed in a small number, the first edition is quite rare. Most copies were handled by young people and were literally read to pieces. RAREA1809CIKA