Descrizione

Two volumes, 8vo (220 x 150 mm). VIII, 303, [1] pp. and [9] folding plates . Collation: π² *² a-e⁸ f-i⁴ k⁸ m-t⁴ v² x-kk⁴ ll². Contemporary half calf binding, panels covered by red marbled paper, gilt spines with red morocco lettering pieces (lightly worn and with a few worm holes), sprinkled edges. Copy uniformly foxed, hole tracks on some pages of the first volume.
First edition of the official prospectus for the introduction of the metric system into the Roman States, compiled by Feliciano Scarpellini (1762-1840), secretary of both the "Academia de' Lincei" (which he revived) and the commission of weights and measures of the Papal State. During the annexation of the Papal territory by the French, the francophile, republican and astronomer set up a commission for the introduction of the decimal system, and designed a precision scale, for which he was awarded a gold medal by Napoleon. In this long work he explains how the basic units are linked to nature. The author then describes the scientific scales constructed by Ramsden and Lavoisier, as well as the hydrostatic one designed by him. Some of folding plates depict it with all its separate parts. The chapter on the determination of the weight of one cubic decimeter of distilled water (kilogram) is a contribution by the author's colleague Giuseppe Calandrelli. The first part of the volume (The Scientific Report) contains the prefaces and the detailed methodology behind the standardization. It features a technical folding copperplate engraving executed by the artist Cipriani based on Scarpellini's original design drawings, detailing the precision scientific instruments and balancing mechanisms used by the commission. The second volume (from page 89 to the end) contains the conversion tables for weights, measures and currencies. Emilio De Tipaldo, in his 1841 Biografia degli Italiani illustri nelle scienze, lettere ed arti praises this work as 'most interesting' and writes that 'it has become quite rare and expensive' (vol. VIII, p. 86).
Italian Union Catalogue, IT\ICCU\RMSE\002682.