A New System of Chemical Philosophy.: Part I; [together with:] Part II; [and:] Part First of Vol. II (all published).

Manchester: Printed by Russell & Allen, for R. Bickerstaff, London [third volume: Printed by the executors of S. Russell, for George Wilson, London],, 1808-10-27. Rarely found together First editions of the work which introduced atomic theory into chemistry, published over 19 years and consequently very scarce complete in three volumes as here. "Dalton's chemical atomic theory was the first to give significance to the relative weight of the ultimate particles of all known compounds, and to provide a quantitative explanation of the phenomena of chemical reaction. Dalton believed that all matter was composed of indestructible and indivisible atoms of various weights, each weight corresponding to one of the chemical elements, and that these atoms remained unchanged during chemical processes. Dalton's work with relative atomic weights prompted him to construct the first periodic table of elements, to formulate laws concerning their combination and to provide schematic representations of various possible combinations of atoms. His equation of the concepts 'atom' and 'chemical element' was of fundamental importance, as it provided the chemist with a new and enormously fruitful model of reality" (Norman). Provenance: from the library of English physicist Edward Andrade (1887-1971), with his bookplate to front pastedown of vol. I. Andrade, with Ernest Rutherford, first determined the wavelenth of a type of gamma radiation, and published a number of books on the history of science. He built a substantial collection of scientific books, acquiring both issues of the first edition of Newton's Principia, Boyle's Sceptical Chymist and Gilbert's De Magnete. He sold the library in 1956 to fund his pension. The third volume of the set has the earlier bookplate of British chemist Sir Henry Enfield Roscoe (1833-1915), noted for his early work on vanadian and for photochemical studies. Three volumes, octavo (first two volumes: 209 x 120 mm; third volume: 222 x 134 mm). First two volumes: contemporary half calf, twin black labels, marbled sides, second volume rebacked with original spine laid down, first volume with more minor repairs; third volume: contemporary cloth, plainly rebacked. The third volume with two separately printed papers on Microcosmic Salt and Analysing Sugar bound at rear. With 8 plates. Third volume unopened, with duplicate disposal plate dated 1871 of Owen College, Manchester and with their unobtrusive embossed stamp on some leaves; light wear to tips. Sporadic very minor foxing or soiling, contents generally clean, minor damping at head of some leaves in third volume. A very good set. Dibner, Heralds, 44; Norman 575; PMM 261.