Gray's Auctioneers
Timed Auction

From the Library to the Laboratory

Wed, Apr 8, 2026 10:00AM EDT - Wed, Apr 8, 2026 12:00PM EDT
  2026-04-08 10:00:00 2026-04-08 12:00:00 America/New_York Gray's Auctioneers LLC Gray's Auctioneers LLC : From the Library to the Laboratory https://auctions.graysauctioneers.com/auctions/grays/from-the-library-to-the-laboratory-22885
Our first timed auction of the year, features voluminous volumes and curious curiosities. Lot 126, Tielke's volume on the war between the Prussians, Austrians, and Russians, is from the Library of Thomas Howard, the British deserter and United States supporter. Lot 53 isJohn Greaves volume on the history of English weights and measures. Lot 1 is an Andreas Vogler sundial and compass. Lot 7 is a Young & Sons transit and tripod. Whether lost in a book or lost in the woods, there is something to keep the thrill of discovery alive in this short, sweet, auction.
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Lot 44

EMERSON, William. A System of Astronomy.

Estimate: $150 - $250
Starting Bid
$70

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
EMERSON, William (1701-1782). A System of Astronomy. Containing the Investigation and Demonstration of the Elements.
Publisher: J. Nourse, London. MDCCLXIX [1769].

8vo. Full lspeckled eather bound, with raised spine and red ruled and gilt title.

xx, 368 pp., with errata, with publishers advertisements. 15 folding plates.

Poor. Front and rear boards detached. Toning throughout. Edges, corners, and spine bumped, scuffed, and rubbed, with losses. Pages warped from humidity.

Lacking plate IV. Plate XI tipped in out of sequence on page 96, and not noted in errata.

Bookplate on front interior board: "John A. Davidson."

Pencil inscriptions: "F. W. M. <- F. W. Mansfield Surveyor of town by same name in Ohio."

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From the Estate of John A. Davidson, Jr. Proceeds to benefit the APL of Lorain County and the Dittrick Museum, CWRU.