Dei conduttori per preservare gli edifizi da' fulmini [...].

4to: xii-104 pp.; 2 pl.

Modern paper.

Rare second edition, updated with facts until 1778, of this work on the use of lightning conductors to protect public but also private buildings. With descriptions of the conductors G. Toaldo placed on the Campanile of San Marco and the Torre della Specola in Padua, illustrated with 2 fold. plates. The abbot Toaldo (1719-1797) was a fervent defender of Benjamin Franklin's views and was appointed to the Chair of astronomy in Padua in 1762. He gave special attention, like Divisch and Giovanni Battista Beccaria, to the study of atmospheric electricity. The first ed. of this work was published in 1774 under the title "Dei conduttori metallici a preservazione degli edifici dal fulmine". In fine, a letter dated from 1780, adressed by Toaldo to the "Efemeride letterarie" on the same subject. Copy without the 2nd part in 44 pp. containing remarks on the conductors of Barbier di Tinan.
Ref. Cp. Wheeler Gift 449 (1774 ed.) & 449a (French ed. of 1779). - Not in Horblit, Macclesfield, Honeyman (sale catalogue, Sotheby's).
Prov. "Per dono dell'autore" (ms. note on title).