M. Sigaud de La Fond - Description et Usage d'un Cabinet de Physique Expérimentale - 1775

A beautiful set, in contemporary binding in full calf.

The item is in excellent condition, as shown by the photos.

Two octavo volumes: 24 pages, 342 pages, 23 folding plates; 4 pages, 456 pages, 28 folding plates. First editions.

So 51 folding plates, as issued.
Sigaud De La Fond became a demonstrator in experimental physics at the Royal College, a professor there in 1760, in Bourges in 1786, and a professor of physics and chemistry at the École Centrale in 1795. Fourcroy was his student. He assisted Macquer in 1776 with experiments showing that water forms during the combustion of inflammable air and published books on gases and physics. He improved the nitric oxide eudiometer and found only slight differences in the quality of different air samples, even in crowded rooms and hospitals. A similar result was obtained by Priestley (1779) using the same method.


In 'DESCRIPTION AND USE OF A CABINET OF EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS,' the author offers an in-depth course in pure experimental physics. The apparatus is described, illustrated, and its proper use explained. References are made to theories and authors to consult. The sections related to chemistry include distillation, chemical affinity, fixed air, respiration, and the properties and effects of fire, including combined fire and phlogiston. References are made to Hales, Priestley, Meyer, Lavoisier, Macquer, and Guyton de Morveau. 'ESSAY ON DIFFERENT SPECIES OF AIR,' which complements the treatment of gases in the author's Elements of Physics, serves as an introduction to the study of various types of airs. There are sections on fixed air, nitrous, inflammable, dephlogisticated, acidic, and alkaline airs. For each gas, preparation, properties, and experiments are discussed. Priestley, Lavoisier, Fontana, and others are cited.
Volume I
Preface 9 pages not scanned

Description and
Use of a cabinet, 342 numbered pages.
+ 23 folding sections

Tome II
Description and usage of a cabinet, 456 numbered pages.
+ 28 folding panels