Encyclopaedia Britannica; or, A dictionary of arts, sciences, and miscellaneous literature; : constructed on a plan, by which the different sciences and arts are digested into the form of distinct treatises or systems, comprehending the history, theory, and practice, of each, according to the latest discoveries and improvements; and full explanations given of the various detached parts of knowledge, whether relating to natural and artificial objects, or to matters ecclesiastical, civil, military, commercial &c. : Including elucidations of the most important topics relative to religion, morals, manners, and the oeconomy of life: : together with a description of all the countries, cities, principal mountains, seas, rivers, &c. throughout the world; a general history, ancient and modern, of the different empires, kingdoms, and states: : and an account of the lives of the most eminent persons in every nation, from the earliest ages down to the present times. / Compiled from the writings of the best authors, in several languages; the most approved dictionaries, as well of general science as of its particular branches; the transactions, journals, and memoirs, of learned societies, both at home and abroad; the MS. lectures of eminent professors on different sciences; and a variety of original materials, furnished by an extensive correspondence.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

MacFarquhar, Colin, approximately 1745-1793, Bookseller.

Gleig, George, 1753-1840.

Bell, Andrew, 1726-1809, Bookseller, Engraver.

Chamberlin, Richard, d. 1824., Former owner.

Carpenters' Company Library Collection (Athenaeum of Philadelphia)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Encyclopedias and dictionaries.

Physical Description:

18 v. : ill., maps, music ; 29 cm. (4to)

Edition:

The third edition, in eighteen volumes, greatly improved.

Other Title:

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dictionary of arts, sciences, miscellaneous literature

Place of Publication:

Edinburgh. : Printed for A. Bell and C. MacFarquhar., MDCCXCVII. [1797]

Contents:

Vol.1. A to anger.

vol.2. Angeremania to Barbarossa.

vol.3. Barbarus to Bzovius.

vol.4. C to cicer.

vol.5. Cicero to diameter.

vol.6. Diamond to Ethiopia.

vol.7. Ethiops to goat.

vol.8. Gobb to hydroscope.

vol.9. Hydrostatics to lessons.

vol.10. Lestoff to meconium.

vol.11. Medal to midwifery.

vol.12. Mill to Negropont.

vol.13. Nehemiah to passers.

vol.14. Passiflora to planishpere.

vol.15. Plant to Rana.

vol.16. Rana to Scotland.

vol.17. Scotland to strawberry.

vol.18. Strength to zymosimeter.

vol. [19]. Plates I-CCLXIX

vol. [20]. Plates CCLXX-DXLII.

Notes:

"Illustrated with five hundred and forty-two copperplates."

Errata in Astronomy, vol. 2, part 2: p. [1] at end; "Omissions": v. 4, p. [1], last group; v. 8: p. [1] at end; v. 9: p. [1] at end; v. 11 erratum for v. 8: p. [2] at end; v. 16: p. [1] at end.

Includes "directions for placing the plates" at the end of each volume.

Volumes 1-12 edited by C. MacFarquhar, v. 13-18 by G. Gleig. Cf. NUC pre-1956, v.159, p. 595.

A 2 v. supplement published in 1801 has title: Supplement to the third edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannia, or A dictionary of arts, sciences, and miscellaneous literature. In two volumes. Illustrated with fifty copperplates / by George Gleig. Edinburgh : Printed for Thomson Bonar, 1801.

Text in double columns with v.2 having four columns.

Shoulder-notes and catch words.

Pagination: v. 1: xvi, 799, [1] p., [1] leaf of plates; v. 2: [2], 799, [1] p.; v. 3: [2], 806, [2] p.; v. 4: [2], 789, [3] p. (last p. blank); v. 5: [2], 807, [1] p.; v. 6: [2], 800 p.; v. 7: [2], 799, [1] p.; v. 8: [2], 799, [1] p.; v. 9: [2], 799, [1] p.; v. 10: [2], 786, [2] p. (last p. blank), v. 11: [2], 815, [2] p.; v. 12: [2], 799, [1] p.; v. 13: [2], 799, [1] p.; v. 14: [2], 797, [1] p.; v. 15: [2], 799, [1] p.; v. 16: [2], 799, [1] p.; v. 17: [2], 827, [1] p.; v. 18: [2], 945, [1] p.

Includes a total of 542 engraved copper plates signed by A. Bell and Wal. [i.e. Wale?, or Walker?].

Local Notes:

Title is held at Carpenters' Hall in the Library of the Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia. Access to the books is restricted and available to researchers only by permission requested in advance.

Carpenters' Company copy set complete in 20 v. with 2 vols. of plates bound as v. [19]-[20] following main text;; some volumes inscribed: Richard Chamberlin's book 1817. (Chamberlin was a Carpenters' Company member first elected in 1796); recorded in 1894 Carpenters' Company Library inventory as no. 8 and in 1894 Carpenters' Company Library Catalogue as no. 32.

Cited in:

BM v. 61, col. 616

ESTC N6642

OCLC:

226371227