WATSON, Richard (1737--1816)
Chemical essays. By R. Watson, D.D. F.R.S. ... Fifth edition.
London: printed for T. Evans, and sold by J. Evans, 1789.
5 vols ; 15.7 cm. (8º)
I: [2], viii, [2], 349, [1] p., [1] fold. letterpress table
II: [4], 368 p.
III: [8], 376 p.
IV: [4], xviii, [2], 354, [50] p.
V: [viii], 375, [1] p.

The author's best-known work which began publication in 1781. Volumes I--III were first published in 1781--82, vol. IV (here in the 3rd ed., 1788) in 1786 and vol. V (here dated 1789, without edition statement) in 1787. Volume II only has a half-title. Volume III has a leaf of publisher's advertisements preceding the text, and vol. IV includes bibliographic references and index for the first four volumes. Following the preface in vol. IV is a leaf (b2) listing six further tracts by the author, three previously published in the Philosophical Transactions and three printed for private distribution, which "would make a fifth volume, but I think it would not be acceptable to many readers." These duly appeared in vol. V together with a seventh essay extracted from the Philosophical Transactions. ESTC n27751 (vols I--III), ESTC t78152 (vol. IV), ESTC t204066 (vol. V).

Binding C18th tree calf, gilt-tooled borders, gilt-tooled spines with phoenix motif, red morocco spine-labels.

Reference Number 572