An Easy Introduction to the Arts and Sciencs...
London: Printed for J. Johnson... 1800. The seventh edition, “with considerable additions and improvements; particularly an abridgment of natural history, with upwards of twenty new cuts…” (p. iii). The first edition was published in 1783. The “additions and improvements” mentioned on the title-page of this work first appeared in the third edition (1791), followed by minor adjustments in subsequent editions. Per OCLC, the claim that the work is illustrated with “upwards of twenty new cuts” began with the fourth edition of 1792 (ESTC does not note this). An advertisement that appears after the Preface in this edition claims that revisions and improvements have been made to the following sections: “The Articles of Physics, (particularly on Volcanoes) Cosmography, Geography, and History,” which might be proven via “very slight comparison.” The fifth and sixth editions also contain an identical advertisement. All editions are scarce. Nine engraved plates of Greek mythological figures, the solar system, maps of the world and Europe, and twenty-five textual illustrations, including animals and scientific diagrams. Front hinge cracked, but holding. Binding extremities a bit worn. Light offsetting from plates, minor black ink stains to pp. 244-245, not affecting legibility. Contemporary ink signature and date on front pastedown. A very good copy of a scarce work. Original sprinkled sheep, gilt-ruled spine, edges sprinkled blue. Twelvemo. xi, [1, blank], 251 pp. Item #16576
Richard Turner’s (bap. 1753-1788) was a schoolmaster, educated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford. His six extant published works were written primarily for the education of young people, including An heretical history (1778) and A view of the earth as it was known to the ancients (1779). An Easy Introduction to the Arts and Sciences was one of his most successful books and frequently cites the work of Benjamin Franklin. It had reached its nineteenth edition in 1825; as late as 1832, it reappeared “altered and improved” by another hand, but still described as “originally compiled by R. Turner” (Oxford DNB).
OCLC notes three copies of this edition.
Price: $450.00