IMISON, John
The School of Arts
Or, An Introduction to Useful Knowledge, being a compilation of real Experiments and Improvement, in several pleasing Branches of Science on the following subjects, viz...The Second Edition with very considerable additions.
London: Printed for the author, and sold by J. Murray. n.d. [c.1790].
Second edition, two parts in one volume. 8vo in 4s. (215x127mm). pp. xv, [i], 319 [1bl], [2]; [viii], 112, 133-176, [1]. With twenty four folding engraved plates, errata leaf at the end of each part. The second part has a separate half-title. Light browning on the last few leaves and occasional foxing but a good copy with the contemporary bookplates of John Bell and Robert Pick, leather booklabel of Robert Honeyman (1979 sale, IV, 1741). Marbled boards, with some scuffing and wear, rebacked in calf, original red gilt label replaced.
From the Robert Honeyman collection of Scientific Books. An encyclopaedia of scientific information and craft secrets, covering mechanics, electricity, pneumatics, optics, clock making and astronomy in the first part: the second part covers drawing, etching, aquatint, gilding, silvering lacquering, varnishing, casting in plaster, glues, stains, microscopic slides etc. Some of the sections on optical equipment make reference to contemporary instrument makers and Imison recommends James Wood of Southwark for demonstration models.