GAY-LUSSAC, Louis-Joseph. Instruction sur les paratonnerres. Published in Paris by Imprimerie Royale in 1824. In-4 format. Full tawny basane, mute spine, first board stamped with a gilt plate depicting a lightning bolt (slightly faded), title in gold on brown leather patch. 31 pages, 2 folding plates with 30 figures engraved by Leblanc. Spine and first cover faded, minor rubbing and browning. Some foxing. Rare first edition of the report of the first commission of 1823 chaired by Gay-Lussac. Composed of a theoretical and a practical part, the study gives principles relating to the action of lightning or electrical matter, details of lightning conductor construction, the general arrangement of lightning conductors on a building and observations on their effectiveness. This copy contains the Instructions de la commission spéciale des paratonnerres, approved by the Paris City Council on December 4, 1875, and by the Seine General Council on November 16, 1875 (8 pages on two double-sheets). A good copy of this unusual document, in an original binding stamped with a lightning bolt on the front cover.