A study of the instrument-making business run by the Adams family, from its foundation in 1734 to bankruptcy in 1817. It is based on research in the archival sources as well as examination of extant instruments and publications by George Adams senior and his two sons, George junior and Dudley.

A comprehensive study of the instrument-making business run by the Adams family, from its foundation in 1734 to bankruptcy in 1817. It is based on detailed research in the archival sources as well as examination of extant instruments and publications by George Adams senior and his two sons, George junior and Dudley. Separate chapters are devoted to George senior's family background, his royal connections and his new globes; George junior's numerous publications, and his dealings with van Marum; and Dudley's dabbling with "medico-electrical therapeutics". The book is illustrated with plates from the Adams's own publications and with examples of instruments ranging from unique museum pieces - such as the "Prince of Wales" microscope - and globes to the more common, even mundane, items of the kind seen in salesrooms and dealers - the surveying, navigational and military instruments that formed the backbone of the business. The appendices include facsimiles of trade catalogues and an annotated short-title listing of the Adams family's publications, which also covers American and Continental editions, as well as the posthumous ones by W. & S. Jones.

Part 1 George Adams senior: family background
foundation and development of the Fleet Street business
royal connections
Adams's globes
George Adams senior's last few years, 1767-1772. Part 2 George Adams junior: continuation of the business
essays and lectures
instruments for van Marum
Hannah Adams and the succession. Part 3 Dudley Adams: globe-maker and instrument-maker
bankrupt - the end of the Adams instrument business
electrician and political reformer. Appendices: George Adams senior's catalogue 1766
George Adams junior's last catalogue, 1795
aids to dating Adams instruments and publications
short-title list of publications by the Adams family.