Mémoires et Observations de Chimie...pour servir de Suite aux Élemens de Chimie, publiés en 1782, par l'Auteur

Three engraved plates. xvi, 447, [1] pp. 8vo, cont. mottled sheep (ends of spine & corners worn, mild foxing), spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. Paris: Cuchet, 1784.

First edition of this collection of 27 chemical memoirs, including many which were read to the Académie Royale des Sciences but not previously published. They begin with an interesting essay on the art of performing chemical research, which, according to Smeaton, could be read with profit by anyone starting chemical research today. The other memoirs include reports (truncated) on the action of alkalis on iron salts, two papers on the analysis of marsh gas, accounts of the detonation of various substances with nitre, the preparation of pure alkalis, a new blowpipe using oxygen, and several compounds of antimony and arsenic. There are also discussions of various chemical theories, including combustion and calcination, the cause of deliquescence and efflorescence, and the representation of chemical affinity by numbers.

Very good copy. Contemporary repair to blank upper corner of B8 and C8. Signature of D. Plonquet on title.

❧ Cole 468. Duveen, p. 225. Partington III, p. 537. Smeaton, Fourcroy, pp. 31–33; bibliography no. 20, with a full list of the memoirs. (Inventory #: 2369)