Micrographia Illustrata, or, The Knowledge of the Microscope Explain’d: Together with and Account of A New Invented Universal, Single or Double, Microscope …

Description:

Second edition, a re-issue of the first. With the 20-page 'Catalogue of Mathematical, Philosophical, and Optical Instruments, as Made and Sold by George Adams, At Tycho Brahe's Head, in Fleet-Street, London', at the rear (pp. 243-263). Six of the engraved plates illustrate Adam’s instruments, the remaining 59 plates show objects as seen under the microscope, including insects, aquatic invertebrates, seeds, flowers and other plant matter, semen masculinem, etc., etc.

George Adams Sr. (1709-1772) was the principal scientific instrument maker in the mid-eighteenth century. In 1756, he was appointed instrument maker to the Prince of Wales, the future George III.

Condition

Small 4to (225x175mm), cont. full calf boards, double-ruled gilt border, lightly scuffed and worn, corners restored; neatly rebacked to style with raised bands, gilt, leather title piece; some rubbing and light wear to joints and head / foot of spine. Endpapers lightly browned. Text and plates fresh and clean. One plate bound upside-down. Very good. Signature of Henry John Carter to top of title page. This is probablly Henry John Carter (1813-1895), of Budleigh Salterton, Devon, who was served as an army surgeon in India. He also had an interest in geology, paleontology, and zoology, and published papers in the Annals of Natural History and the journal of the Bombay brand of the Royal Asiatic Society. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1859.