Noctiluca Aeria, Sive Nova quaedam Phaenomena In Substantiae Factitiae sive Artificialis, Sponte Lucidae, productione, observata. Unà cum adnexo Ejusdem Substantiae Processu. Amico cuidam, rure agenti, Epistolice communicata. Authore Roberto Boyleo, Nobili Anglo, Regiae Societatis Socio. Ex Anglico in Latinum Sermonem Traduxit J. W.
Londini [London]: Typis R. E. pro B. Tooke Bibliopola, in Coemeterio Paulino [Robert Everingham; Benjamin Tooke], 1682. First Latin edition. In contemporary leather. Spine gilt: floral ornament and title. Edges tinted. [2] 69 [1] [12] 78 [6] 29 [1] [6] p. Binding somewhat rubbed at the extremities. Overall in fine condition.
These works were published first in Latin in the present single publication, although the title page only refers to the first work. The printer “R. E.” ie. Robert Everingham was also associated with Boyle in connection with the project for printing the Irish Bible in 1680. The translator J. W. was supposedly John Warr a trusted servant of Boyle, later one of the executors of his will.
Aerial and Icy Noctiluca deal with the properties of phosphorus, and besides others describe an experiment in which sulfur and phosphorus powders are mixed causing them to burn, a discovery which became the basis for the invention of the match.
Scarce first Latin edition of Boyle’s milestone works in the history of chemistry, the Aerial and Icy Noctiluca, together with Paradoxon Chymicum and Postloquium editoris.
Price: €5,000.00