Bidspirit auction | 1848 and 1854. Gray and

1848 and 1854. Gray and Davies. Elements of Chemistry and Elements of Geometry. Two Volumes. - A pair of mid-19th-century American scientific schoolbooks bound in full contemporary sheep leather. The first volume is titled Elements of Chemistry; Containing the Principles of the Science, Both Experimental and Theoretical by Alonzo Gray, A.M., published in New York by Mark H. Newman & Co., dated 1848. This copy is stated as the Fortieth Edition, newly revised and greatly enlarged. The second volume is Elements of Geometry and Trigonometry, adapted from the works of A. M. Legendre by Charles Davies, LL. D., published in New York by A. S. Barnes & Co., dated 1854. Both volumes retain their original black leather spine labels with gilt lettering. The texts are illustrated with numerous wood-engraved diagrams and figures. These copies are notable for their extensive 19th-century vernacular marginalia, including mathematical calculations, grammar lessons, and pencil drawings of figures. Manuscript inscriptions identify early owners, including the name Grace French and locations such as Bristol (1855) and Ann Arbor (1858). Both volumes show heavy wear consistent with schoolroom use. The leather bindings are rubbed and scuffed, with significant wear and rounding to the corners where the boards are exposed. There is loss of leather at the head and tail of the spines. Internally, the pages exhibit heavy foxing, age-toning, and significant damp staining (tide marks) throughout. The Geometry volume remains tightly bound, while the Chemistry volume shows some strain to the hinges. The marginalia is legible but contributes to the overall weathered appearance of the leaves.