Gaude

New edition, after the original published in 1761 in Avignon. A supplement to the dictionary, printed in 1787, has been integrated into alphabetical order in this edition. 2 folding plates in volume I including one on aerostation as frontispiece; 5 folding plates in volume II; 3 folding plates in volume III; 3 folding plates in volume IV; 2 folding plates in volume V; totaling 15 plates.
Near-contemporary binding in half brown sheep with small vellum corners. Smooth spine decorated with Greek-key roll tools. Red morocco title-label and black morocco volume labels (decorated with a laurel crown). A handsome copy.
Paulian's physics dictionary enjoyed considerable success and was reprinted many times with additions; its success stems from the breadth of its scope - from divining rods to scholars, comets, and the dry parts of arithmetic, through to the latest aerostatic experiments - and the didactic quality of the articles; Paulian, long a professor at Avignon, indeed possessed the talent of explaining the most complex things in an accessible manner without betraying them, notably the case for the Newtonian system which he particularly favored. This dictionary is therefore not intended for scholars but for a public with an amateur interest in science.

The sought-after first edition, quite rare.

Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Brown morocco title and volume labels. Head of volume II worn. A stain on one cover. 6 corners slightly bumped. Right corner of endpaper of volume II torn and missing. The first leaf of the catalogue is absent. Good copy overall.