pdf - Roger Gaskell Rare Books

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BOYLE, Robert (1627–1691)
The origine of formes and qualities, (according to the corpuscular
philosophy) illustrated by considerations and experiments. (Written
formerly by way of Notes upon an Essay about Nitre.) The second
edition, augmented by a discourse of subordinate formes.
Oxford: printed by H. Hall, printer to the University, for Ric: Davis, 1667.
8vo: a4 (–a4) b8 B–F8 c1 (= a4) G–V8 (V6 + 2
* ) X–2A8 2B2 , 200
leaves, pp. [32] 68 [4] 71–289 (i.e. 287, 263–4 omitted) [5] 291–363
[1] (last page blank). lacking the titlepage (supplied as a photographic
print; I have included the titlepage in the collation as though
the book were complete).
180 x 112.
Binding: Twentieth­century calf, rubbed.
Provenance: Armorial bookplate of Wiliam Bartlett.
Second, enlarged edition (Wrst edition 1666). Fulton 78; Wing B4015;
ESTC R7614l Madan III, 2764.
‘In his essay on “Colours” and in the present work Boyle paved the way for
the Newtonian concept of light. His predecessors had held that the properties
of a body were due to its innate qualities: thus grass was green because it
had ‘greenness’ in it. In this work Boyle argued that the qualities of bodies
resulted not entirely from their innate substance, but rather from the eVects
which they produced upon their immediate surroundings... The new concept
thus set forth by Boyle was widely quoted in his time, especially by Locke,
Newton, and other physicists of the period.’ (Fulton p. 55.)
25
BOYLE, Robert (1627–1691)
Chymista scepticus, vel dubia paradoxa chymico­physica, circa
spagyricorum principia, vulgo dicta hypostatica, prout proponi &
propugnari solent a turba alchymistarum.
Rotterdam: ex oYcina Arnoldi Leers, 1668.
12mo: 12 2
* ** A–Q12 R4 , 210 leaves, pp. [28] 392. * 1, engraved title;
* 2, printed title with woodcut device.
130 x 70mm. First few leaves frayed in the margins and the engraved
and printed titles strengthened in the inner margins; minor stains,
otherwise a fresh copy.
Binding: Recent calf.
Provenance: American Chemical Society with library stamp on title and
accession number on engraved and printed titles.
Third Latin edition (Wrst edition, in English, London 1661; Latin
editions, London 1662, Rotterdam, Leers 1662). Fulton 38.