Micrographia Illustrata, OR, The Knowledge of the MICROSCOPE Explain'd: Together with an ACCOUNT of A New Invented UNIVERSAL, Single or Double, MICROSCOPE, Either of which is capable of being applied to an Improv'd SOLAR APPARATUS. This Treatise contains a Description of the Nature, Uses, and Magnifying Powers of Microscopes in general; together with full Directions how to prepare, apply, and examine, as well as preserve, all Sorts of minute Objects.

Adams, George.

Published by London: Samuel Birt, 1747., 1747

About this Item

Second Edition. Foolscap quarto, pp., 263, [i]. Complete with 65 copper-engraved folding plates, including frontispiece. With a pp., 21 catalogue of Adams' "Mathematical, Philosophical, and Optical Instruments, As Made and Sold by GEORGE ADAMS" at end. The first six engravings are microscopes and other optical apparatus 'invented and sold' by Adams, the remaining 59 plates are objects seen under the microscope and include: feathers, fleas, 'water polyps', mites, 'of the scales of human skin', 'aquatic pomegranates', moths, gnats, beetles and indeed anything from the natural world that Adam's could fit under his lens. Richly illustrated the work is a reissue of the first edition of the year before and, with 355 instruments for sale in the catalogue at end, was almost certainly printed to advertise the sale of Adam's wares from his shop at "Tycho Brahe's Head in Fleet Street, London". George Adams (1709-1772) was one of England's leading makers of scientific instruments of the 18th c. and was appointed instrument maker to the Prince of Wales (the future George III). Contemporary utilitarian calf; with five raised bands to spine, double fillet borders to boards and single fillets to spine bands. Some wear to corners, boards with some minor restoration, joints cracked but holding well. Lacking title label. A sturdy, internally very clean copy in a contemporary binding. ESTC T53415.

Seller Inventory # 14245

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Micrographia Illustrata, OR, The Knowledge of the MICROSCOPE Explain'd: Together with an ACCOUNT of A New Invented UNIVERSAL, Single or Double, MICROSCOPE, Either of which is capable of being applied to an Improv'd SOLAR APPARATUS. This Treatise contains a Description of the Nature, Uses, and Magnifying Powers of Microscopes in general; together with full Directions how to prepare, apply, and examine, as well as preserve, all Sorts of minute Objects.
• Publisher: London: Samuel Birt, 1747.
• Publication Date: 1747