An Account of the New Method of Extinguishing Fires by Explosion and Suffocation [.] Wherein a Description is given of the several Machines and their Uses, together with the plain and sufficient Directions for the proper Application of them. A method easily practicable, certain in its Effects, and so universally useful to the Publick, that his Majesty has been moved to authorize and incourage this happy Discovery, for the general Advantage of his Subjects, by his most gracious Letters Patents [.]

Published by N.p, 1724

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Seller: Blackwell's Rare Books ABA ILAB BA, Oxford, United KingdomBlackwell's Rare Books ABA ILAB BA

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Item description from seller

FIRST EDITION. Title within double-ruled border, woodcut headpiece with portrait of 'Guttemberg', p.1 with engraved headpiece of a house on fire with Godfrey's machines, woodcut tailpieces and initials; nick to head of title, neatly repaired, uniformly browned, with the odd marginal spot; pp. xvi, 40, 8vo; twentieth-century quarter brown morocco and marbled boards. An overview of German emigré chemist Ambrose Godfrey's patented 'fire annihilator', which comprised a wooden barrel full of aqueous solution and a pewter container of gunpowder fitted with a pipe and fuse. Godfrey reports on two highly successful full-sized demonstrations of his invention in 1723, the first of which was carried out on a specially built house in Marylebone Fields on 30 May 1723, at which several members of the Royal Society were present. The work closes with invective against Charles Povey of Hempstead, who allegedly stole his 'watch engine' from Godfrey. Born Ambrose Godfrey-Hanckwitz (1660–1741), the author was for many years employed as operator in the laboratory of Robert Boyle, and later set up his own outfit where he made and sold the white phosphorous for which he became famous. In the introduction to the present book he expresses his indebtedness to Boyle 'for the first hints of the matter whence it was made'. Hanson 3411; Neville I, p. 537. Partington II, p. 543. Not in Cole.…

Seller Inventory # 73354

Bibliographic details

Title
An Account of the New Method of Extinguishing Fires by Explosion and Suffocation [.] Wherein a Description is given of the several Machines and their Uses, together with the plain and sufficient Directions for the proper Application of them. A method easily practicable, certain in its Effects, and so universally useful to the Publick, that his Majesty has been moved to authorize and incourage this happy Discovery, for the general Advantage of his Subjects, by his most gracious Letters Patents [.]
Author
Godfrey (Ambrose)
Publisher
N.p
Publication year
1724
Seller catalogs
Sciences

Blackwell's Rare Books ABA ILAB BA

Oxford, United Kingdom

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since July 8, 1998

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Our premises are in the main Blackwell's bookstore, one of the largest and best known in the world, housing over 200,000 new book titles, covering every subject, disclipline and interest, as well as a large secondhand books department. The bookstore is in the centre of the city, opposite the Bodleian Library, Sheldonian Theatre, and many of the colleges and other university buildings, with on-street parking close by.

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Modern Illustrated Books, General Antiquarian, Private Press, Modern First Editions, Antiquarian English Literature, Juvenilia, Music

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Seller's business information

Waterstones Booksellers Ltd trading as Blackwell's Rare Books

203-206 Piccadilly
Westminster, United Kingdom W1J 9HD