MORVEAU-LAVOISIER-BERTHOLET-FOURCROY Méthode de nomenclature chimique. On y a joint un nouveau Système de Caractères Chimiques, adaptés à cette Nomenclature, par MM Hassenfratz et Adet.

Duveen & Klickstein, 126.

First edition, first printing.

A seminal and major work in the history of chemistry. This nomenclature represents the first attempt at a systematic classification of the elements, from which the current system is derived. In particular, it served as the basis for Mendeleev’s work.

The work consists of five memoirs presenting the theses of the four chemists. The first two were, moreover, presented to the Academy of Sciences on 18 April and 2 May 1787. It is accompanied by a large chart summarising the nomenclature and six plates illustrating the chemical symbols and combinations.

Pagination error consistent with the first printing, i.e.: pages 258 and 259 are numbered 242 and 243, pages 262 and 263 are numbered 246 and 247, pages 266 and 267 are numbered 250 and 251, and pages 270 and 270 are numbered 254 and 255. The printer’s mark clearly depicts a cherub supervising a distillation, a sign of the first printing according to Duveen.

A fine copy. Wear on the lower left corner of the back board.

Provenance: François Chrétien (bookplate)