Rome

1772 · 899 — Paris: Didot Jeune; Knapen & Delaguette 1772. <br /> <br /> A landmark work in the history of mineralogy and crystallography by Jean-Baptiste Louis Romé de l'Isle 1736-1790 one of the principal founders of scientific crystallography. Published in Paris in 1772 Essai de Cristallographie represents one of the earliest systematic attempts to classify minerals according to the geometry of their crystal forms rather than solely by chemical composition or external appearance. Romé de l'Isle sought to demonstrate that crystals obey fixed geometric laws helping establish crystallography as a rigorous scientific discipline during the Enlightenment. The work discusses numerous classes of crystals including quartz mica feldspars zeolites metallic crystals pyrites and gemstones accompanied by detailed geometric analyses and descriptions.<br /> <br /> Particularly notable are the engraved folding tables and plates illustrating crystal forms polyhedra and geometric developments. These illustrations provided one of the earliest visual systems for understanding mineral structures and became highly influential among eighteenth-century natural philosophers mineralogists and geologists. The volume includes an extensive bibliography of earlier authors on crystallization and mineralogy reflecting Romé de l'Isle's attempt to synthesize contemporary scientific knowledge. Also present is an attractive engraved armorial bookplate of Lord Sandys adding desirable provenance and evidence of ownership by an eighteenth-century British noble family. A highly important scientific work that marks the transition from descriptive mineralogy to the quantitative study of crystal geometry.<br /> <br /> Condition & Binding: Bound in contemporary full calf with gilt roll-tooled borders marbled endpapers and all edges gilt. Binding remains attractive and solid showing moderate rubbing scuffing and wear to boards corners and spine. Spine lettering has largely faded though decorative tooling remains partially visible. Internally remarkably clean and bright for the period with light scattered foxing and occasional minor spotting. Folding engraved plates and the large folding crystallographic table appear present and in very good condition with no significant tears observed in the supplied photographs. Overall- very good. Didot Jeune; Knapen & Delaguette unknown