PRIESTLEY, Joseph (1733-1804). The History and Present State of Discoveries relating to Vision, Light and Colour. London: J. Johnson, 1772. 2 volumes, 4o (259 x 224 mm). Folding frontispiece and 24 folding plates. (some offsetting to plates, small hole in title-page of Vol. II, occasional faint spotting to text). Contemporary calf, spines gilt, red lettering pieces (rebacked, preserving original spines, corners restored, hinges repaired). Provenance: J.F. Streatfield (early ownership signature on front pastedowns); Opthalmological Society Library (small inkstamps on title-pages and verso of plates); small library labels on upper left corner of front covers. FIRST EDITION. Often referred to as Priestley's History of Optics, this work remained the only English work on the subject for a hundred and fifty years and the only one in any language for over fifty. (2)