Faraday, Michael

Experimental Researches in Electrictiy. London: Richard Taylor, 1832



4to (11 5/8 x 9 1/4 in.; 296 x 233 mm, uncut ). 2 engraved plates comprising 39 figures; title-page soiled and skilfully restored about the edges. Original blue wrappers; upper wrapper spotted and faded, some offsetting from Garden morocco ticket. Quarter blue morocco folding-case.

César M. Depretz (1792–1863), the French physicist and chemist, from the author — Jeremy Norman & Co., booksellers (their catalogue 5, no. 97 [1978]) — The Garden copy (bookplate and sale, Sotheby's New York, 9–10 November 1989, lot 179) 

Dibner 64; Grolier/Horblit 29 (citing the 1839 reprint); PMM 308 (citing the reprint); Sotheran, Bibliotheca chemico-mathematica 1:1287. Not in the Horblit or Honeyman sale.

4to (11 5/8 x 9 1/4 in.; 296 x 233 mm,, uncut ). 2 engraved plates comprising 39 figures; title-page soiled and skilfully restored about the edges. Original blue wrappers; upper wrapper spotted and faded. Quarter blue morocco folding-case
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The Garden copy, of the first printing, first issue, of the earliest account of electro-magnetic induction, which remains the means of generating nearly all electricity. Presentation copy, inscribed "M. Despretz | & & & | from the author" with Depretz's name repeated on the front wrapper in the author's hand.

In 1831, after successfully inducing one electrical current by another, Faraday began his famous series of thirty Experimental Researches in Electricity. One of the finest experimental physicists of his time, he investigated electromagnetisim, electrochemistry, and electrostatics, to a point where he verged on the brink of field theory, the electron theory of matter, and the electromagnetic theory of light.  

This issue is an offprint from the Philosophical Transactions, with an added title-leaf and with the first four pages (125–128) reimposed on one half-sheet. Very likely all copies of the offprint were intended for presentation. It is the only separate issue of Faraday's greatest work, a classic of physics, and a cornerstone of all electrical engineering.