ASTRONOMICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL ESSAYS BY GEORGE ADAMS 1790 LEATHER BINDING

[ADAMS, George (1750-1795)]. Astronomical and Geographical Essays: Containing, I. A Full and Comprehensive View, on a New Plan, of the General Principles of Astronomy. II. The Use of the Celestial and Terrestrial Globes, Exemplified in a Greater Variety of Problems, Than are to be Found in any Other Work; They are Arranged Under Distinct Heads, and Interspersed With Much Curious, but Relative Information. III. The Description and Use of the Armillary Sphere, Planetarium, Tellurian, and Lunarium. IV. An Introduction to Practical Astronomy; or, the Use of the Quadrant and Equatorial. London: printed for the author by R. Hindmarsh, Printer to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, No. 32, Clerkenwell-Close. And sold by the author, No. 60, Fleet-Street, M.DCC.XC. [1790].

Second edition. Leather-bound; hardcover; octavo (21cm x 13cm x 4.5cm); pp. [1] engraved frontispiece, xvi, 599, [15] catalogue, xxi folding plates. English text. Bound in contemporary quarter calf; smooth spine gilt with red morocco lettering-piece; marbled boards; initial and terminal blanks; engraved frontispiece; catalogue of mathematical and philosophical instruments and 21 magnificent folding plates at rear. Condition: GOOD to VERY GOOD. Binding tight and secure with the hinges and joints intact, the spine with some light creasing, the covers largely well-preserved. Contents complete and very clean, the plates excellent, without previous ownership markings. Scarce thus.

Notes: Rare and complete second edition of this excellent astronomical handbook, and detailed instruction work on using mathematical and scientific instruments, terrestrial and celestial globes, armillary spheres, planetariums [orreries], lunariums, and more. Of particular interest in this work are the wonderful folding plates and the inclusion of George Adams (1750-1795), the younger, mathematical instrument maker to King George III, and the future King George IV. Listed with prices, are his optical instruments including spectacles, telescopes, microscopes, magnifying glasses, camera obscura, globes, mathematical instruments, surveying instruments, navigation instruments, electrical machines -- including discharging rods, artificial spider, and electrical cannon for gunpowder, and many more.