Description et usage d'un cabinet de physique experimentale

First edition, illustrated with 51 folding plates (23 for volume I and 28 for the second, at end of volumes) on heavy paper.
Contemporary full marbled blonde calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title and volume labels. Head of volume I split. One lack in head compartment of volume I. One lack in tail compartment of volume II. Set rubbed and scuffed. Tail of volume I worn. One strip of leather on lower cover of volume I torn away. 3 corners bumped on volume I. 2 plates badly folded in volume I and protruding.
An extraordinary pedagogue and demonstrator, Sigaud de la Fond early attended the courses of Abbé Nollet (no less famous for his experiments in physics and electricity) whom he would succeed, and quickly assembled a cabinet of experimental physics. His experiments were numerous and engaged in many fields: electricity, but also phosphorus, toothpaste recipes, medicine... Over time, he would devote himself more fully to his physics cabinet and his experiments, while maintaining a teaching activity admired throughout Europe.
Stamp on title page: M. A. Gelin.