by WALCHNER, Friedrich August
15 folding lithographed plates (three handcolored). xvi, 631, [1] pp.; xiv, 1104 pp. Two vols. 8vo, cont. half-sheep & marbled boards (lower joint of Vol. I partly cracked but strong, minor foxing), spines gilt. Karlsruhe: C.T. Groos, 1829-32. First edition of one of the most extensive introductions to mineralogy and geology of the period. Walchner (1799-1865), was professor at the University of Freiburg and, in 1825, was appointed professor of mineralogy, geology, and chemistry at the Polytechnic of Karlsruhe. He wrote many books and articles. "Very scarce. A technical treatment of mineralogy designed to be sufficient for the isolated amateur to study the subject. It covers all the basic elements including crystallography, physical and chemical properties, and a lengthy descriptive portion that covers the various mineral species. One section provides a list of recently published mineralogical literature."-Schuh, Mineralogy & Crystallography: A Biobibliography, 1469 to 1920, 4866-(incorrectly giving the date of Vol. II as 1830). The first volume is devoted to descriptive mineralogy and the second to geology. Nice set. Old stamp on each title of the "Grosherz: Bad: Muenzverwaltung." ❧ A.D.B., Vol. 40, pp. 656-57. Poggendorff, II, 1244-45. (Inventory #: 5951)