Milestones of Science Books

BOYLE, Robert.

Some Considerations Touching the Usefulnesse of Experimental Natural Philosophy Propos'd in a Familiar Discourse to a Friend by way of Invitation to the Study of it. Three parts in two volume bound in one.

Oxford: Hen: Hall for Ri: Davis, 1664.

2nd Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Item #002488

Some Considerations Touching the Usefulnesse of Experimental Natural Philosophy Propos'd in a Familiar Discourse to a Friend by way of Invitation to the Study of it. Three parts in two volume bound in one. Oxford: Hen: Hall for Ri: Davis, 1664. [Bound with] Some Considerations Touching the Usefulnesse Of Experimental Naturall Philosophy : ... The Second Tome, Containing the later Section of the Second Part. Oxford: Printed by Henry Hall ... for Ric Davis, 1671. 4to (198 x 156 mm). [14], [2] 1-126 (i.e., 124), [2]; 3-416 (i.e., 410), [16] pp.; [26], 1-47 [3], [2] 1-20, [4] 1-14, [2] 1-28 [2] 29-31 [1], [2] 1-26, [2] 1-50 pp. several mispaginations. Signatures: Vol. 1: *? **? B-R? a-z4 2a-2z4 3a-3d?(-3d4) 3f-3g?; Vol. 2: [par.]? *? **? (-***1), A-F? G2, A-C4, A-B4, A-D4 E², A-C4 D², A-F4 G². Head- and tail-pieces, initials. Vol 1 Title-page within double-ruled border. "Of the usefulnesse of natural philosophy. The second part" has separate divisional title page, pagination, and register. "An appendix to the first section of the second part" has half title on 2o3. Without the vertical label-title 3d4. Vol. 2 with general half-title on[par.]1, G2 blank, half-titles to all tracts, C4v with vertical half title, but lacking the contents leaf ***1. 20th century half calf over marbled boards, spine with 4 raised bands and compartments lettered and decorated in gilt, original front flyleaf preserved. Internally only little age-toned with light browning to margins, a few occasional spots, otherwise crisp and clean. Provenance: The library of Hugh Selbourne (small ink stamp to title verso and p.51). ----

Fulton 52B ('B' issue with two l's in word 'Naturall' on title-page) & Fulton 53; Honeyman 461, 462. Ostler 943. - SECOND EDITION of volume 1, FIRST EDITION of volume 2. Vol. 1, pt. 1 titled "Of its usefulnesse in reference to the minde of man"; pt. 2, section 1 titled "Of its usefulness to physick." Vol. 2 contains "Of the usefulnesse of mathematicks to naturall philosophy", "Of the usefulnesse of mechanicall disciplines to naturall philosophy - That the goods of mankind may be much encreased by the naturalists infight into trades: with an appendix", "Of doing by physicall knowledge what is wont to require manuall skill", "Of Mens great ignorance of the uses of naturall things."
"There is no work from which one can gain a better idea of the state of medicine about the middle of the seventeenth century. The second part constitutes Boyle's most extensive single medical work, and argues for the scientific method to be applied to medicine, such as chemical distillation and the theory of corpuscularianism." (Osler). The gathering of the second work is very variable, and it is difficult to find two copies alike (Fulton 53).

Sold