Lexicon Technicum: Or, an Universal Engl by John Harris - 1900

Hardback. New.

London: printed for J. Walthoe, Mess. Knapton, D. Midwinter, A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, [et al.], 1736. Last and best edition, and the first time both volumes were published together, constituting the fifth edition of the first volume and the third edition of the second volume; 2 volumes, folio, lexicon in double column, engraved frontispiece portrait in volume I (but not repeated in volume II as in some copies), title pages printed in red and black, 20 (of 22) engraved plates (9 folding), one engraved plate ("characters chymical") on 2Q1 in the first volume, and another engraving ("scenography in perspective") on a leaf signed 6E2 (in fact, a singleton leaf inserted between 6E1 and [6E2]) in the second volume; numerous woodcut illustrations, diagrams, tables, and figures in the text; leaf 3D1 in the first volume with temoine at lower corner; full contemporary calf, red morocco label on gilt-paneled spine; minor defects, but in all a very good, sound copy. The missing plates are that of the… Read More

FIRST GENERAL SCIENTIFIC ENCYCLOPAEDIA folio 2 vols. [928]; [392], 44, [242], 120, [50]pp., portrait plus 14 plates (6 folding), contemporary calf with nesting dyed panels on sides defined by double blind fillets and with blind tooling at corners etc., some minor marginal spotting or damp marks, closed tears (no loss) in Oooo3 and Kkkkk4, narrow strip of leather torn from rear cover of one volume, very handsomely and sympathetically rebacked and refurbished at edges and corners. Nice copy. The oval stamp (a bishop inside a lettered border) of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, on the title pages. First published in 1704-10, and the first general scientific encyclopaedia in any language. As he outlines in his preface, Harris (ca. 1666-1719) drew for the work upon many of the greatest contemporary authorities - on Newton in physics, astronomy, and mathematics; on John Ray and Joseph Tournefort in botany; and on Halley, Boyle, Nehemiah Grew, John Woodward, John Wilkins, and William Derham… Read More

London: Printed For Dan. Brown Et Al 1704 And 1710. Fine. Hardcover. First edition two volumes folio unpaginated. Volume 1 Engraved frontis of John Harris, seven engraved plates, two folding plates and numerous illustrations in text. Its professed advantage over French dictionaries of the arts and sciences was that it contained explanation not only of the terms used in the arts and sciences, but also of the arts and sciences themselves. Volume two unpaginated one engraved plate and six folding. A large part of the volume consists of mathematical and astronomical tables, since Harris intended his work to serve as a small mathematical library. He provided tables of logarithms, sines, tangents, and secants, a two-page list of books, and an index of the articles in both volumes under 26 headings, filling 50 pages. Both volumes have been beautifully bound in cambridge panelled calf. With plain endpapers. A superb set. .

London: Printed for Dan Brown, Tim. Goodwin, John Walthoe, Tho. Newborough, John Nicholson, Tho. Benskin, Benj. Tooke, Dan. Midwinter, Tho. Leigh, and Francis Coggan, 1704. First edition. THE FIRST TECHNICAL DICTIONARY IN ANY LANGUAGE (PMM 171a) . First edition of perhaps the most important single source for the history of science and engineering at the end of the scientific revolution. Its emphasis on technology, comparatively poorly covered by seventeenth century books, is particularly valuable primary material, while the author's access to Newton and others has been frequently emphasized. "Harris' most famous work was the Lexicon technicum, the first edition of which appeared in 1704. This was the first general scientific encyclopedia, and for it Harris drew upon some of the greatest authorities of the day. In physics, astronomy, and mathematics he turned to Newton; in botany he consulted John Ray and Joseph Tournefort; in other areas he drew upon Halley, Robert Boyle, Nehemiah Grew, John… Read More

Engraved frontis. port. of Harris, 14 engraved plates (some folding, one with a short tear without loss) & numerous woodcut illus. in the text. Title in red & black. [463] leaves; [386] leaves. Two vols. Folio, cont. panelled calf (extremities a little worn, some browning as is usual with this book), red morocco lettering pieces on spines (Vol. I label recent & sympathetically done). London: 1704-10. First edition of the first technical encyclopedia in any language and a landmark in the history of technology. "This was the first general scientific encyclopedia, and for it Harris drew upon some of the greatest authorities of the day. In physics, astronomy, and mathematics he turned to Newton; in botany he consulted John Ray and Joseph Tournefort; in other areas he drew upon Halley, Robert Boyle, Nehemiah Grew, John Woodward, John Wilkins, William Derham, and John Collins."-D.S.B., VI, pp. 129-30. "John Harris, clergyman, mathematician, and (from 1709) secretary… Read More