Pesanteur spécifique des corps. Ouvrage utile à l'histoire naturelle, à la physique, aux arts & au commerce.

4to: [2]-xxiv-453-[1]-xx-[2] pp. (rest. to upper right corner of title, some unobtrusive, rather marginal stains).

Contemp. sheep (completely restored), gilt orn. spine on 5 raised bands, red leather label.

Uncommon first edition of this work on the specific gravity of metallic substances, stones (with no less than 989 specimens including gems) and inflammable materials, vegetation etc. J.-M. Brisson (1723-1806) was a French chemist and physicist, a professor at the College of Navarre and the École Centrale, a close collaborator of Lavoisier and successor of abbé Nollet; "he should be regarded as a pioneer in scientific gemology because he recognised consistent differences in values between various gemstones species and urged that these be used as a means of identification in conjuction with colour and obvious external features [...]" (Sinkankas). Complete with 2 engraved plates by Sellier after Fossier representing crystal forms. Ref. Sinkankas 932 (extensive description). - Schuh 847 (= Cole 204). - Conlon 87:1512 (= BL, BN, NUC).