[Rarebooks] Sir Humphry Davy's COLLECTED WORKS, first printings, complete, securely preserved.

[Serendipity Books]

Davy (Sir Humphry)  (1778-1829). THE COLLECTED 
WORKS OF SIR HUMPHRY DAVY.  Nine volumes 
(complete).  Edited by his brother, John Davy 
(1790-1868).  London: Smith, Elder and Co., 
1839-1840.  8vo, modern full morocco, marbled 
endpapers, a sound binding, spines lettered in 
gold (not elegantly).  20.5 cm.  With the 
original pale yellow flyleaves (?).  Faintly rubbed.  Comprising:

v. 1. Memoirs of the life of Sir Humphry Davy, by 
his brother, John Davy.   1839.   viii; 475pp. With the frontispiece.

v. 2. Early miscellaneous papers from 1799-1805 
... and outlines of lectures on chemistry, 
delivered in 1802 and 1804.  1839.  xii; 466 pp + 
ad leaf.  With the half title.  Portions of signatures K-L loose.

v. 3. Researches, chemical and philosophical, 
chiefly concerning nitrous oxide ... and its 
respiration.  1839.  xvi; 343 pp., with the 
half-title and inserted frontispiece.

v. 4. Elements of chemical 
philosophy.  1840.  xx;  376pp, with the 
half-title, with errata slip inserted after p. 
xx; with all twelve plates present at the rear.

v. 5. Bakerian lectures and miscellaneous papers 
from 1806 to 1815.  xvi; (528) pp, with the 
half-title; with the errata slip following the title; with all five plates.

v. 6. Miscellaneous papers and researches ... 
from1815-1828.  xii; 364pp, with the half-title; 
with the errata slip after page (xii); 364 
pp;  with all five plates (four are folding)

v. 7. Discourses delivered before the Royal 
Society. Elements of agricultural chemistry, pt. 
1. 1840.   (xvi); 391pp; with the half-title; 
with the errata slip preceding p. (1); with all ten plates (one folding).

v. 8. Elements of agricultural chemistry, pt. 2. 
Miscellaneous lectures and extracts from 
lectures.  1840.   viii; (366) pp + ad leaf; with the half title.

v. 9. Salmonia; or, Days of fly-fishing. 
Consolation in travel.  1840.   (xii); 388 
pp.  With the half-title and the three fly plates.


                 First editions, one volume a bit 
shaken as indicated. With all half-titles, 
plates.  The binder has taken only ½ cm from the 
original.  Exceptionally clean and sound.

             Davy is the “English chemist who 
discovered several chemical elements (including 
sodium and potassium) and compounds, and became 
one of the greatest exponents of the scientific 
method. Davy is best remembered for his 
contributions to the understanding of 
electrochemistry and for his invention of a 
safety lamp for miners.”  And he was an accomplished angler.


  $1500.00 (postpaid)




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