Justin Croft Antiquarian Books : NICHOLSON, William. - The British Encyclopaedia, or dictionary of arts and sciences. Comprising an accurate and popular view of the present i...

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NICHOLSON, William. The British Encyclopaedia, or dictionary of arts and sciences. Comprising an accurate and popular view of the present improved state of human knowledge... London: by C. Whittingham, for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, J.Johnson, R. Baldwin, F. and C. Rivington [and numerous other in London], 1809.

6 vols, 8vo (210 × 130 mm.). 152 engraved plates (of 153, wanting final plate in vol. 3, the iron foundry). Occasional light browning and small waterstains to plates, but generally quite clean. Contemporary full calf, gilt, panelled spines, tan morocco labels (one expertly renewed to style), slight chip to head of vol. 3. A handsomely-bound set.

First edition of the major scientific dictionary of the early nineteenth-century. It was nominally edited by Nicholson, but was mainly compiled by the dissenting scholar Jeremiah Joyce and published by a large ‘conger’ syndicate of London booksellers. It includes excellent accounts of new industrial technologies, notably the steam engine.

£400.00 (equal to approx. US$633.39* or €494.68* for 22 May 2012)

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