Experiments Observations Electricity by Franklin Benjamin, First Edition (8 results)

No Binding. Condition: New. 1st Edition. New digital facsimile (in electronic PDF format on CD-ROM disc) of a copy of the first edition (in three parts) of a classic work in the history of science. This Octavo Edition contains detailed digital images (may be magnified at up to 600% of original size) of every page of the original edition as well as a new introduction by I. Bernard Cohen. "The beauty of this disc sends frissons of excitement up the spine--it's a digital work of art. Enthusiastically recommended."--Library Journal.

Hardcover. Condition: Good. 271, [1] pages. Footnotes. Illustrations. Twenty-five items in the Table of Contents. Cover has some wear and soiling. Some hinge weakness. This was published in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Franklin's birth. Benjamin Franklin FRS FRSE (January 17, 1706 - April 17, 1790) was an American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He founded many civic organizations, including the Library Company, Philadelphia's first fire department and the University of Pennsylvania. Franklin started exploring the phenomenon of electricity in 1746 when he saw some of Archibald Spencer's lectures using static electricity for illustrations. Franklin proposed that "vitreous" and "resinous" electricity were not different types of "electrical fluid" (as electricity was called then), but the same "fluid" under different pressures. Franklin was the first to label them as positive and negative respectively, and he was the first to discover the principle of conservation of charge. In 1748 he constructed a multiple plate capacitor, that he called an "electrical battery" by placing eleven panes of glass sandwiched between lead plates, suspended with silk cords and connected by wires. In recognition of his work with electricity, Franklin received the Royal Society's Copley Medal in 1753, and in 1756 he became one of the few 18th-century Americans elected as a Fellow of the Society. The cgs unit of electric charge has been named after him: one franklin (Fr) is equal to one statcoulomb. Presumed First Edition, First printing. 1 of 5,500 copies.

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. First Edition. Frontispiece, xxviii, 453 pp; illus. Original cloth. Near Fine, in near fine dust jacket (unclipped).

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. No Jacket. 1st Edition. First Edition. Frontispiece, xxviii, 453 pp. Original cloth. Very Good+, without dust jacket.

Full Description: FRANKLIN, Benjamin. New Experiments and Observations Made on Electricity. Made at Philadelphia in America. Communicated in Several Letters to P. Collinson, Esq. of London. F.R.S. London: Printed and sold by D. Henry and R. Cave, 1754. First collected edition and second edition overall. With the first edition of Part III. Three parts in one small quarto volume (9 x 6 7/8 inches; 227 x 174 mm). [2], 109, [6], 112-154 pp. One engraved folding plate in Part I. Engraved head and tail pieces. With separate title-pages for each part, each dated 1754. A few errors in pagination, but collation is correct. Continuous pagination and collation throughout all three parts. We could find no copies of this 1754 first collected edition at auction since 1996. Bound to style in modern full brown morocco. Spine ruled and lettered in gilt. Top edge dyed black, others speckled red. Newer endpapers. Dentelles stamped in blind. Some foxing throughout. Leaf T2 with a repaired two-inch closed tear with no loss. Overall, a very good copy of this elusive title. "The most dramatic result of Franklin's researches was the proof that lightning is really an electrical phenomenon. Others had made such a suggestion before him- even Newton himself- but it was he who provided the experimental proof. In 1752 he flew a kite in a thunderstorm and attached a key to its string. From this he collected electric charges in a Leiden jar and showed that atmospheric and frictional or machine-made electricity are the same . Experiments and Observations remains the most important scientific book of eighteenth-century America" (PMM). "Franklin's most important scientific publication. The first part contained Franklin's first reports on the novel electrical experiments with the Leyden jar performed by himself and three other researchers during the later half of the 1740s. These experiments led to Franklin's successful analysis of the electrical properties of the Leyden jar , and the enunciation of his 'single fluid' theory of electricity, a full statement of which appears at the end of this part. The single fluid theory, although flawed in its inability to explain the mutual repulsion of negatively charged bodies, has several important assets, the most valuable being its explanation of induced charges. It was Franklin's clear understanding of this process that caused his theory to be so widely adopted by his contemporaries, and it has its practical laboratory uses even today" (Norman). The second part included Franklin's account of the famous kite experiment establishing lightning as an electrical phenomenon. The third part of the work developed Franklin's explanation of induced charges. "America's first great scientific contribution" (Howes). ESTC N23554. Howes F-324. Norman Library 830. Sabin 25559. Wheeler Gift 367a. PMM 199 (Regarding 1st edition). HBS 69164. $25,000.

First complete edition of "the most important scientific book of eighteenth-century America" (PMM), inscribed by Benjamin Franklin to prominent Pennsylvania Quaker and merchant Thomas Livezey, Jr. Quarto, bound in full contemporary calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt turn-ins. Illustrated with 7 copper-engraved plates, 2 of which are folding. Presentation copy, inscribed by Benjamin Franklin on the front free endpaper, âTo Mr. Livesy [sic] From his obliged Friend & humble Servant The Author.â With Thomas Livezey's ownership signature to the second free endpaper, "Thomas Livezey Junior 1810." The recipient, Thomas Livezey Jr. (1723-1790), was a member of the fourth generation of the prominent Pennsylvania Quaker Livezey family. His ancestor, Thomas Livezey, the elder (1627-1691), was among the earliest settlers of Pennsylvania; his land was a portion of William Penn's Pennsylvania colony and was granted to him directly by Penn in an early patent. Thomas Livezey Jr. established one of the largest ï our mills in colonial British North America, the Livezey Mill, and rose to prominence as one of the major suppliers of high quality ï our to the world during that era. Situated on Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia, the Livezey Mill was a major colonial operation, provided flour both domestically and overseas, and fed numerous armies throughout the eighteenth century including those fighting on both sides of the American Revolution. The mill was in continued operation for more than one hundred twenty-ï ve years until roughly 1874. Livezey was elected to the colony of Pennsylvania's legislative body, the Pennsylvania Assembly, in 1765. BenjamÃn Franklin had been elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly 14 years earlier in 1751 and in 1764 (one year prior to Livezey's appointment), Franklin was sent to London by the Pennsylvania Assembly as a colonial agent to protest against the political influence of the Penn family, with whom the assembly was becoming increasingly frustrated. He remained there for five years, striving to end the Penn family's prerogative to overturn legislation from the elected Assembly and their exemption from paying taxes on their land. His lack of influential allies in Whitehall led to the failure of this mission. Franklin and Livezey were warm acquaintances, despite their differences. In late 1767, Livezey sent a case of wine he had made from wild grapes to Franklin in London, writing, âI heartely wish it may arive Safe, and warm the hearts of Every one who tastes it, with a Love for America. And would it Contribute towards bringing about a Change of Government but one month Sooner, I would Gladly Send all I have.â In early 1768, Franklin thanked Livezey in a letter, stating that he âshall apply this parcel as I did the last towards winning the hearts of the Friends of our Country, and wellwishers to the Change of its Government.â PMM 199; Grolier 100 American Books 10; Dibner Heralds of Science 57. Presentation copies of this first collected edition are scarce. This is the only presentation copy to a known recipient to appear on the market over the course of the past century. In very good condition. Housed in custom three quarter morocco clamshell box. âFranklinâs most important scientific publication,â Experiments and Observations contains detailed accounts of the founding fatherâs crucial kite and key experiment, his work with Leiden jars, lightning rods and charged clouds (Norman 830). âThe most dramatic result of Franklinâs researches was the proof that lightning is really an electrical phenomenon. Others had made such a suggestion before himâ" even Newton himselfâ" but it was he who provided the experimental proofâ (PMM). âThe lightning experiments caused Franklinâs name to become known throughout Europe to the public at large and not merely to men of science. Joseph Priestley, in his History of Electricity, characterized the experimental discovery that the lightning discharge is an electrical phenomenon as âthe greatest, perhaps, since the time of Isaac Newton⦠Franklinâs achievement⦠marked the coming of age of electrical science and the full acceptance of the new field of specializationâ (DSB). Franklinâs theory encompassed static electricity, lightning, and stored charge, paving the way for countless theoretical and technological innovations. Immanuel Kant referred to Franklin as the ânew Prometheusâ for he managed to steal the fire of heaven. The work brought Franklin international renown. He became the first American elected to membership in the Royal Society and he was awarded the Copley Medal, the highest scientific honor of the day. Franklin edited the collected edition of his Experiments and Observations himself, revising the text, adding a number of his own philosophical letters and papers, and publishing the complete notes on all of his experiments.

The fourth edition, being the first collected edition and by far most desirable edition, containing for the first time complete notes on all the experiments, as well as correspondence between Peter Collinson, Franklin, and other collaborators. [Franklin:] 7 engraved plates (2 folding). [2],iv,[2],496 [i.e. 510, accounting for mispagination, plus four extra pages where the page numbers have been duplicated, i.e. page numbers 112-113 and 416-417 appear twice], [16]pp. [Wilson:] Two engraved plates. 35, [1]pp. Some contemporary manuscript marginalia in French. 4to. Franklin began experimenting with electricity as early as 1745, demonstrating the electrical property of lightning and inventing the lightning conductor. This volume includes summaries of his work with Leyden jars, charged clouds, and lightning rods, as well as his famous kite and key experiment. In addition to the electrical experiments, it contains the important discovery of the course of storms over North America and other important meteorological observations. The work caused a sensation in the scientific world when first published in 1751, and ranked in the eyes of many of Franklin's contemporaries as far beyond any of his political achievements. Harvard and Yale awarded him honorary degrees in 1753; he received the highest award of the Royal Society, the Copley Medal, the same year; and he was elected to the Society in 1756, the first American to be so honored. This fourth edition is the first complete edition of the original work. The earlier editions were issued in separately published parts. Franklin edited this new one-volume edition himself, significantly revising the text, adding for the first time a number of his own philosophical letters and papers, introducing footnotes, correcting errors, and adding an index. This example in a contemporary binding and bound with a second work on electricity; i.e. Benjamin Wilson's Letter . to Mr. Aepinus (which according to Bowyer's records only 150 copies printed). Franklin and Wilson disagreed publically and vehemently on the question of whether lightning conductors should be round (Wilson) or pointed at the top (Franklin). [Franklin:] ESTC T101040; Howes F320; Printing and the Mind of Man 199; Sabin 25506; Ford 307; Milestones of Science 69. [Wilson:] ESTC T37897 Contemporary French mottled calf, raised bands, red morocco lettering piece, marbled endpapers, spine lightly worn at bands and at top and tail, scuff to upper cover. Minor toning. Provenance: Louis George Carpenter, Fort Collins, Colorado (signature on endpaper dated 1901) [Franklin:] 7 engraved plates (2 folding). [2],iv,[2],496 [i.e. 510, accounting for mispagination, plus four extra pages where the page numbers have been duplicated, i.e. page numbers 112-113 and 416-417 appear twice], [16]pp. [Wilson:] Two engraved plates. 35, [1]pp. Some contemporary manuscript marginalia in French. 4to The fourth edition, being the first collected edition and by far most desirable edition, containing for the first time complete notes on all the experiments, as well as correspondence between Peter Collinson, Franklin, and other collaborators.

FRANKLIN, Benjamin. Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Made at Philadelphia in America.To Which Are Added, Letters and Papers on Philosophical Subjects. The Whole Corrected, Methodized, Improved, and Now First Collected into One Volume, and Illustrated with Copper Plates. London: Printed for David Henry, and sold by Francis Newbery, 1769. [2],iv,[2],496[i.e. 510, accounting for mispagination, plus four extra pages where the page numbers have been duplicated, i.e. page numbers 112-113 and 416-417 appear twice],[16]pp. including leaf of errata and advertisement "concerning this fourth edition," plus seven engraved plates (two folding). Quarto. Modern three-quarter calf and marbled boards, spine ruled in gilt, gilt leather label. First signature tipped back in with title expertly mounted. Second signature has loosened over time but still holding. Text with light, even tanning, offsetting from the plates. About very good. Untrimmed. "America's first great scientific contribution" - Howes. This is the fourth, first collected, and by far most desirable edition, containing for the first time complete notes on all the experiments, as well as correspondence between Peter Collinson, Franklin, and other collaborators. Franklin began experimenting with electricity as early as 1745, demonstrating the electrical property of lightning and inventing the lightning conductor. This volume includes summaries of his work with Leyden jars, charged clouds, and lightning rods, as well as his famous kite and key experiment. In addition to the electrical experiments it contains the important discovery of the course of storms over North America and other important meteorological observations. The work caused a sensation in the scientific world when first published in 1751, and ranked in the eyes of many of Franklin's contemporaries as far beyond any of his political achievements. Harvard and Yale awarded him honorary degrees in 1753; he received the highest award of the Royal Society, the Copley Medal, the same year; and he was elected to the Society in 1756, the first American to be so honored. This fourth edition is the first complete edition of the original work. The earlier editions were issued in separately published parts. Franklin edited this new one-volume edition himself, significantly revising the text, adding for the.