EMERSON, William (1701-1782). A Treatise of Algebra. London: for J. Nourse, 1764. 8vo (204 x 125 mm). 13 folding copperplate engravings. (Some spotting and browning, dampstaining to upper margin.) Contemporary calf gilt, brown morocco lettering-piece gilt (some staining, joints starting, split to spine). FIRST EDITION. Emerson "arrange[d] with Nourse, the publisher, for a regular course of mathematical manuals for young students, and the publication of these followed in rapid succession. They were fairly successful, for Emerson, though he possessed no originating power, had a comprehensive grasp of all existing knowledge in all branches of his subject" (DNB).