The Description and Use of Pocket Cases of Mathematical, or Drawing Instruments: Containing, Particularly, A familiar Explanation of the Use of the Protractor, Plain Scale, Sector, Gunter's Scales, Marquoi's Parallel Scales, and the Proportional Compasses; with several Examples in Trigonometry, Arithmetic, &c. Together with Plain Instructions for making the several Kinds of Sun Dials. MEREDITH (Nicholas) MATHEMATICS

First edition, 8vo (210 x 125 mm), [4], 47, [1]pp., 2 copper-engraved plates, one with lower portion cut and tipped in, the other folding (both slightly trimmed), original marbled boards, neatly rebacked in calf, spine leather label lettered in gilt. Nicholas Meredith (fl. c. 1791-1801) Optical and Mathematical Instrument-maker to the Duke of York. "written because the author considered that B. Martin's and J. Robertson's well-known books on the subject were inadequate." Taylor. These pocket cases offered a portable solution for professionals who required these tools while travelling or working in the field. "Describe the basic uses of each instrument in his largest case (compass, protractor, plane scale and sector), with the majority of the work describing the different sector lines and their use from simple tasks such as dividing a line to more complex chores such as creating sundials." Tomash & Williams. From the Erwin Tomash library on the History of Computing. Taylor, The Mathematical Practitioners of Hanoverian England, 1011; Tomash & Williams, M89. A further edition published in the same year with a variant tile page, both are rare and known in a hand-full of copies.