Institutes of Natural Philosophy, Theoretical and Practical.
Boston: Cummings, Hilliard & Co. at the Boston Bookstore, 1824. Fourth American Edition. 4to, xxvii, 297pp. Tables, plus 15 (of 16) plates at rear, several folding. Ownership inscription of Henry Walker on front pastedown, presentation inscription from George W. Walker to Walter B. Beals on ffep, with Walker's signature below. Laid in are several items from Charles Scribner's Sons Rare Book Department offering this book as part of a collection to a Mr. James M. Blackford of Eugene, Oregon. Contemporary mottled calf, red spine label with gilt lettering. Boards worn and rubbed around edges, page block toned and foxed throughout, lacking rear endpaper.. Few pencil annotations to the text, couple plates with light damp staining to edges. A very good copy in attractive, contemporary binding.
An interesting text with interesting provenance, belonging to Seattle judge, Walter B. Beals who served on the Washington Supreme Court from 1928-46 and '46-51. He also presided over the "Doctor's Trial," part of the Nuremberg Tribunals in 1946-47, taking a leave of absence from his post as chief justice in Washington. The prior owner was George. W. Walker of Seattle, grandson of Capt. Henry Walker (1788-1872), who was a master marine in the East India Trade in Boston, and sailed in the American Valant during the War of 1812.
Enfield's Institutes of Natural Philosophy was one of the standard English physics textbooks of the time, being an introduction to Newtonian science. The book went through several editions, first being published in London in 1785. This American edition contains Webber's appendix. A very nice copy in contemporary binding with great provenance. Item #9181
Price: $200.00