BOYLE, Robert (1627-1691). Essays of the Strange Subtilty, Great Efficacy, Determinative Nature of Effluviums. London: Printed for W.G. for M. Pitt, 1673.
8vo (169 x 108 mm). (Light soiling to title-page.) 20th-century green cloth, red morocco lettering-piece gilt (spine lightly sunned, a few tiny stains, edges soiled). Provenance: Sweet Briar College (bookplate). FIRST EDITION. Fulton 105; Wing B3951; Duveen p. 94.

[Bound with:] BOYLE, Robert. Essay About the Origine and Virtues of Gems. London: William Godbid, 1672. (Cellotape repairs to title-page.) FIRST EDITION. Fulton 96; Wing B3947.

[Bound with:] BOYLE, Robert. Tracts Written by the Honourable Robert Boyle About the Cosmicall Qualities of Things, Cosmicall Suspitions, the Temperature of the Submarine Regions, the Bottom of the Sea. Oxford: Printed for W.H. by Richard Davis, 1671. (Some spotting and soiling, dampstaining to the head of leaves in the final gatherings, a few leaves bound in on stubs and a few leaves have tears crossing letters with repairs.) FIRST EDITION, lacking ornament on title page. Wing B4057.

Robert Boyle is widely regarded as one of the key founders of modern chemistry and is today best remembered for Boyle's Law, which states that at a fixed temperature the volume of a given gas is inversely proportional to the pressure exerted by that gas. The three works included represent key foundations of modern scientific thought regarding gemology and deep-sea science.

Please note that internally there is some spotting and soiling, damp staining to leaves at the head primarily in the final gatherings, a few leaves are bound in on stubs and a few leaves have tears crossing letters with repairs. (LW 11/6/23)