The MICROSCOPE made easy : or, I. The nature, uses, and magnifying powers of the best kinds of microscopes described, calculated, and explained: For the Instruction of such, particularly, as desire to search into the Wonders of the Minute Creation, tho' they are not acquainted with Optics. Together with Full Directions how to prepare, apply, examine, and preserve, all Sorts of Objects, and proper Cautions to be observed in viewing them. II. An account of what surprizing discoveries have been already made by the microscope: With useful Reflections on them. And also a great variety of new experiments and observations, pointing out many uncommon Subjects for the Examination of the Curious. ... llustrated with Copper Plates ...The Second Edition With an additional plate of the Solar Microscope, and some farther Accounts of the POLYPE.
London: Printed for R. Dodsley, at Tully's Head in Pall-mall; and sold by M. Cooper in Pater-noster-row; and J. Cuff, Optician in Fleetstreet 1743. Second Edition. [2],xvi, [1]-98, [4], 99-311,[13-indices] pages. Pages 307 through index with stain in inner margins affecting text in a few places. With 14 numbered plates (I through XIV) plus the unnumbered folding plate of the solar microscope plus and one folding table. Eleven of the plates are folding. 8vo. Speckled calf rebacked to style with red/gilt spine label. Preserved endpapers and boards. Previous owners on front endpapers: "Ex Lib i.Poulin Med. Monspeliensis(?)" (inked), C. M. Gabriel (bookplate and stamp), and Barnett Cohen (stamp). Old paper snippet affixed to front endpaper with cellotape (bio of Henry Baker). Old pagination in pencil on rear pastedown. Red speckled pages edges. Bright and clean internally, much better than usually found. Very Good. Boards. [29045]
A beautifully illustrated work on the microscope and its uses. One of several works by Baker on the microscope. J. Cuf (John Cuff) was an optician who worked from 1731-1771 and was recognized for making significant contributions to the evolution of the microscope. Henry Baker was a patron of Cuff, lending him money on more than one occasion.
The previous owner Barnett Cohen worked worked professionally as a bacteriologist, conducting the first ultra-microscopic surgeries. He was also an enthusiast of and published several articles on Leeuwenhoek (Antonie Philips van Leeuwenhoek FRS was a Dutch microbiologist and microscopist in the Golden Age of Dutch science and technology. A largely self-taught man in science, he is commonly known as "the Father of Microbiology", and one of the first microscopists and microbiologists. - Wikipedia)
The first edition of this title was published in 1742. This second edition and subsequent editions had the extra folding plate of the solar microscope not present in the first edition.
LITERATURE:
Austin and Blankenhorn, "A Preliminary Checklist of Books Relating to Microscopes and Microscopy", The Gemmary: Redondo Beach, CA: 1993 (p. 6)
Clifton's "Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers"
Bradbury, "Evolution of the Microscope" for information on Cuff and his developments in microscopy
Price: $650.00