Name/Title
Observations on the Causes and Cure of Smoky Chimneys.Description
FRANKLIN, Benjamin. Observations on the Causes and Cure of Smoky Chimneys. London: Re-printed for John Debrett...,1787. [4],56pp. plus engraved plate (foredge slightly clipped) and one in text engraving. Ford 375. This is the first British edition, printed the same year as the first separate American printing, of an interesting article Franklin contributed to Vol. Two of the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society (1786). It is a notable technical contribution by Franklin, which sets forth his ideas on smoky chimneys, measuring humidity, coal-burning stoves, efficient chimneys, and the like. The engraved plate depicts the working of chimneys, air-flow through room, and diagrams of chimney accessories.
This was written, along with another letter, while Franklin was traveling back from England to America and at sea. Interestingly, Franklin was aware of these issues regarding chimneys for quite some time, offering almost verbatim advice to Lord Kames in a letter dated 1792 (see this collection BF1)Condition
Notes
Modern 3/4 sprinkled calf and marbled board, gilt-ruled spine, red morocco spine label, A.e.g., housed in custom cloth slipcase. Some slight tanning to ¬Ω-title and final leaf of text, faded early notation on ¬Ω-title , else very good.