Search Results: de magnete magneticisque corporibus et de by gilbert william

Londini (London), United Kingdom: Petrus Short, 1600. quarter vellum, paste paper coverd boards, vellum tips, red and black leather spine label, gilt lettering on spine, clamshell box. Magnetism. 4to. quarter vellum, paste paper coverd boards, vellum tips, red and black leather spine label, gilt lettering on spine, clamshell box. [xvi], 240 pages. First edition. Gilbert's (1544-1603) De Magnete is "a remarkable work in the history of scientific discovery. Handwritten corrections, thought to be in Gilbert's own hand, on pp. 11, 22, and 47, but not on 14 or 63 as in some other copies. Minor soiling to covers and minor wear to leather spine labels. Two ex-libris bookplates, one of "Liechtensteinanis" and a more recent bookplate of "Cornelius Hauck Collection, Cincinnati, OH" on front pastedown. Errata slip bound in correcting the error on the spine indicating the date is "1550" when it is in fact "1600". Occasional foxing throughout the text. Previouslly featured at an auction at Christies in 2006. A… Read More

London: Peter Short, 1600. First edition. Hardcover. EVANS 26 - THE FIRST SCIENTIFIC TREATISE ON ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM. First edition of "the first major English scientific treatise based on experimental methods of research. Gilbert was chiefly concerned with magnetism; but as a digression he discusses in his second book the attractive effect of amber (electrum), and thus may be regarded as the founder of electrical science. He coined the terms 'electricity,' 'electric force' and 'electric attraction.' His 'versorium', a short needle balanced on a sharp point to enable it to move freely, is the first instrument designed for the study of electrical phenomena, serving both as an electroscope and electrometer. He contended that the earth was one great magnet; he distinguished magnetic mass from weight; and he worked on the application of terrestrial magnetism to navigation. Gilbert's book influenced Kepler, Bacon, Boyle, Newton and, in particular, Galileo, who used his theories [in the Dialogo] to… Read More