Essai sur l’électricité des corps.

Frères Guérin, Paris, 1750

Nollet’s probably most interesting work on the cause, nature and effect of electricity. 2nd edition (1st ed. 1746) with 4 fold-out engravings and a frontispiece engraved after Blaise-Nicolas Le Sueur.

Description: Contemporary mottled calf, sides ruled in black, spine richly gilt in compartments between 5 raised bands and red morocco label lettered in gilt. Marbled endpapers. Octavo: 17 × 10 cm; pp. xxiii, [1], 272, [2]ll. 1 frontispiece (shows an electrically charged test person who attracts “luminous particles” and emit them again as sparks) and 4 copper-engraved fold-outs. All edges marbled.

Provenance: Bookplate to front pastedown of Dr. Desnos.

Condition: Binding a bit scuffed and a few surface abrasions, small spot on front board, with slight waterstain to lower rear board. Inner hinges split but firm. Contents with occasional minor blemish but generally clean. Plate 4 with paper loss at fore edge, not affecting engaving. Overall, a very good copy.

Notes: This 2nd edition, dated 1750, corresponds to the one at the Harvard Library. This edition was later reprinted several times by Guérin and also called “Seconde Édition” (cf. BnF Gallica: cb39308846k).