[HALLEY, Edmund (1656-1742), et al.] DERHAM, W., editor. Miscellanea Curiosa: Containing a Collection of some of the Principal Phaenomena in Nature ... Being the most Valuable Discourses, Read and Delivered to the Royal Society, for the Advancement of Mathematical and Physical Knowledge. London: James and John Knapton; John Clarke, 1726-1727.

Popular collection of papers delivered to the Royal Society, extracted and edited from the Society's own Philosophical Transactions. Mixed edition, the first volume is stated third edition, the second volume unstated, and the third is stated second edition. The third volume contains the papers on voyages and natural history, separately titled but part of the same whole. The stated purpose of this collection was to select the papers which would be of the most general use and interest to the educated public. Halley's papers include subjects such as sea vapors, compasses, the minuteness of the constituent parts ("atoms") and gold. Astronomical subjects include an account of Newton's theory of the moon and papers by William Molyneux (1656-1698) and John Wallis (1616-1703). Cf. Cook, Edmund Halley, no. 1705a.

Three volumes, octavo (197 x 120mm). Illustrated with tables, woodcut decorations, and engravings, including folding plates and a folding map (scattered pale dampstain). Contemporary gilt-ruled calf, rebacked to style. Sold as a set, not subject to return. Provenance: House of Frankland, Baronets of Yorkshire (armorial bookplates in each volume, contemporary shelfmark).