EARNSHAW’S ‘Appeal to the Public…’
Rare original copy of this important semi-autobiography.
£995.00
The full title is: An Appeal to the Public: stating Mr Thomas Earnshaw’s claim to the original invention of the improvements in his Timekeepers, their superior going in numerous voyages, and also as tried by the Astronomer Royal by Orders of the Commissioners of Longitude, and his consequent right to National Reward.
Modern three-quarter leather bound marbled boards with gilt tooled label on spine, Introduction, 280 pages, Appendices, Conclusion and Errata. Printed for the author, London 1808.
A most important work regarding this period in precision horology, and the London trade in general. It provides a highly personal and often antagonistic account of his affairs concerning John Arnold, Nevil Maskelyne, Thomas Wright, Thomas Hughes, Miles Brockbank, James Peto, etc. Echoing his poor behaviour towards Thomas Mudge, Sir Joseph Banks, then President of the Royal Society and a Commissioner on the Board of Longitude, does not come out well, whereas Maskelyne, the Astronomer Royal, appears to have been much more fair in his dealings with Earnshaw.
A good copy of this very rare work – I can find no other original copies presently for sale and is only the third copy I have handled in the last fifty years. With the usual browning and publication creases to some pages and with an archival tape repair to a small tear on the title page. The Errata page with the usual addition (in Earnshaw’s hand?) “for Crosby always read Crosley”
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Description
The full title is: An Appeal to the Public: stating Mr Thomas Earnshaw’s claim to the original invention of the improvements in his Timekeepers, their superior going in numerous voyages, and also as tried by the Astronomer Royal by Orders of the Commissioners of Longitude, and his consequent right to National Reward.
Modern three-quarter leather bound marbled boards with gilt tooled label on spine, Introduction, 280 pages, Appendices, Conclusion and Errata. Printed for the author, London 1808.
A most important work regarding this period in precision horology, and the London trade in general. It provides a highly personal and often antagonistic account of his affairs concerning John Arnold, Nevil Maskelyne, Thomas Wright, Thomas Hughes, Miles Brockbank, James Peto, etc. Echoing his poor behaviour towards Thomas Mudge, Sir Joseph Banks, then President of the Royal Society and a Commissioner on the Board of Longitude, does not come out well, whereas Maskelyne, the Astronomer Royal, appears to have been much more fair in his dealings with Earnshaw.
A good copy of this very rare work – I can find no other original copies presently for sale and is only the third copy I have handled in the last fifty years. With the usual browning and publication creases to some pages and with an archival tape repair to a small tear on the title page. The Errata page with the usual addition (in Earnshaw’s hand?) “for Crosby always read Crosley”
