Lot 50
Lot 50
Experimental Researches in Electricity and Magnetism

Michael Faraday, 1831-1855

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USD 25,000 - USD 45,000
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Experimental Researches in Electricity and Magnetism

Michael Faraday, 1831-1855

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FARADAY, Michael (1791-1867). “Experimental Researches in Electricity and Magnetism,” from The Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. London: Richard and John E. Taylor, 1831-1855.

The complete suite of 30 articles published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, extracted and bound together—"the foundation of the modern electricity industry: electric light and power, telephony, wireless telegraphy, television, etc."
(PMM). Faraday was England’s greatest experimental scientist, and, together with Maxwell and Hertz, his research was central to the development of the theory of Electromagnetism. This is the only complete collection of Faraday’s extracted articles recorded at auction.

The series of 30 papers opens with the principle of the dynamo and the transformer. But "Faraday himself however was interested in these experiments only as a stage in his investigation of the phenomena of electromagnetism, but which he finally succeeded in demonstrating the identity of all forms of electricity however produced … He also showed that is electrolysis the quantity of chemical action is directly proportionate to the quantity of electricity used. Finally he enunciated his theory of 'lines' or 'tubes' of magnetic force which was the starting point for the revolutionary theories of Clerk Maxwell and later of Einstein" (PMM). Norman 760 (Series 11-28 and 30 only). See PMM 308 for first edition in book form.

Thirty parts bound as one, quarto (286 x 223mm). Offprints bound together without front matter, except for title page for 1846 Part I, with advert leaf, 2pp. subscribers list, and contents leaf (a little dustsoiling at end). 18 plates, 2 of which folding; wood engravings in text (plates occasionally just shaved). Modern blue morocco.

[With:] FARADAY, Michael (1791-1867). Autograph letter signed ("M Faraday") to "My dear Renee," Hampton Court, 26 March 1861. One page, 180 x 112mm (mild toning at corners from mounting remnants on verso). Faraday arranges for payment for some of the equipment used in his final experiments received from Carl August von Steinheil, the Bavarian physicist who specialized in optics and telegraphy: "if I knew how much 137 fl[orins]. were I would send you the money with this note. If you cannot pay for me can you tell me the sum to pay & how I am to pay it and let me have the bill & note again that I may write to him." Letters relating to Faraday's experiments are very rare in private hands.
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Peter KlarnetSenior Specialist, Americana
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