Full title: A nomenclature of colours applicable to the arts and natural sciences to manufactures and other purposes of general utility. First published in1845; this copy is \"second edition improved\", 1846. Hardback with gilt emblem of Royal Engineers Library on front cover and gilt title on spine, possibly the original binding. Corners and edges slightly worn. Green end-papers have some small stains. The book is bound with a text block containing 72 pages of text plus 8 pages of promotion of other books by D R Hay, and a separate block of colour plates containing 40 plates with 6 triangles of colours applied to each plate (all 40 plates are present) - see photo. The method of binding allows a double page spread of text to be open at the same time as a colour plate - see photo. Has stamp of Royal Engineers Library on title page and at top of page 1- see 2 photos. Contents page has small stamp \"Horse Guards Whitehall SW\" - see photo. Apart from the 3 pages with library stamps and a few text pages with a small spot - see photo of pages 36 & 37 , the great majority of pages are clean and in excellent condition. The block of plates is unattached to the overall binding, and its spine has a paper cover which needs regluing - see photo. David Ramsay Hay (1798-1866) was born in, lived and died in Edinburgh. He was an artist, interior decorator and colour theorist. Between 1828 and 1856 he published 15 works on colour and aesthetics.