Sales catalogue 106: Davis & Orioli

Date:
20th century
Reference:
WA/HMM/CM/Sal/31/16
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sales catalogue 106: Davis & Orioli. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    marine lightning, ignition of gunpowder by electrical discharge, etc. There is also a_ history of electro-magnetism. This volume, which was published by subscription, is very rare. The D.N.B. gives the place of printing as Manchester, and the Wheeler Gift collection has one issued in London, but not this original one, 550 Thomson (Sir J. J.) Conduction of electricity through Gases. Cambridge, 1903 30s 8vo, Original cloth. Many illustrations. First EpitTion, containing the author’s import- ant researches on the ionization of gases. He introduced the term ‘‘ions ’’ in the present book for the first time. In 1906 he was awarded the Nobel prize for these investigations. 551 Three Tracts concerning the Torpedo. _ Published in the Philosophical Transactions for the years 1773 and 1774. London, 1775 £3 3s 4to. Old calf, Contains ‘‘A letter by John Walsh on the electric property of the Torpedo to Benjamin Franklin.’ ‘‘Anatomical Observations on the Torpedo by John Hunter ”’ and another letter by John Walsh to Thomas Pennant. At the end is added Sir John Pringle’s essav on the Torpedo. (Wheeler Gift Cat. 454). The ‘‘ Three Tracts ’’ are not in the Wheeler Gift Catalogue in this separate edition. 552 Walker (A.) A System of Familiar Philosophy in twelve lectures, containing the elements of chemistry, mechanics, hydrostatics, . . . magnetism, electricity, optics and astronomy. London, 1799 30s Thick 4to. Old calf. With 47 folding plates showing experiments and apparatus. The book contains lectures on chemistry and physics and accounts of many inventions made by the author, including the construction of a steam engine. Pp. 323-391 deal with electricity, with several plates. Wheeler Gift Cat. No. 618. 553 Watkins (Francis) A Popular Sketch of Electro-Magnetism, or Electro-Dynamics ...and Outlines of the Parent Systems of Electricity and Magnetism. London, 1828 30s 8vo. Original boards, uncut. With 3 plates. Wheeler Gift Catalogue 847, First EpiTion. 554 Watson (William) Experiments and Observations tending to illustrate the Nature and Properties of Electricity in one letter to Martin Folkes and two to the Royal Society. The third edition and A Sequel to the Experiments and Observa- tions. London, 1746 18s _ 8vo. Unbound, 2 parts. Uncut copy of this important work but lacking the folding plate. 555 [Wesley (Samuel) The Desideratum: or Electricity made plain and useful by a Lover of Mankind and Common Sense. (17-—) 10s 6d 8vo. Boards. An excerpt from Wesley’s Collected Works. ‘This text is excessively rare in separate editions. 556 Wilkinson (C. H.) Elements of Galvan- ism in theory and practice; with a com- prehensive view of its history, from the first experiments of Galvani to the present time. Containing also practical directions performing all the various experiments. London, John Murray, 1804 30s 8vo. 2 vols. Boards. Engraved frontispiecé and 12 Font Fine copy, uncut. J son} (Bfenjamin]) A Treatise on 8vo. Old calf, rebacked. With 5 engraved folding plates, . Wheeler Gift Catalogue 362, First EpITIoNn, Electric Telegraph, together with the chemistry of the stars; and argument touching the stars and their inhabitants. London, 1852 7s 6d 8vo. Half calf (shabby). 135 pp. Wheeler Gift ~ Cat. No. 1244. Tentamina de Causa Electricitatis, quibus brevis historia de nonnullis auctoribus qui hanc praecipue excoluerunt materiam, praemissa est. Naples, S. Porsile, 1747 £2 2s 4to. Boards. 22 leaves. 3 folding plates showing curious electrical machinery and experi- ments. Notin the Wheeler Gift Cat. EVOLUTION. Species by means of Natural Selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. London, John Murray, 1859 £4 4s 8vo. Half morocco, gilt back. First EpiTIon. Though rebound, this is an excellent clean copy ata low price. Formes de 1’Etre ou les essais de la nature qui apprend a faire 1’ Homme. Amsterdam, 1768 30s 8vo. Old calf. Title, 260 pp., 2 ll. errata and 2 ll. advertisements. 10 folding plates. A curious book dealing with natural objects and mammals resembling in shape human_ beings. Stones, fossils, mandrakes, various sea monsters, sirens, etc., are described and illustrated, as well as the Orang Outang and the Chimpanzee. Robinet appears to have come near a theory of evolution. At the end of the book he states that he had intended to make a study of the natural gradation of the forms of living beings, to which the present book was a preparation. of Species with especial reference to the Insecta, followed by an inquiry into the nature of Genera. London, 1856 18s 8vo. Original cloth. 206 pp. This book, dedicated to Darwin, was published two years before the Origin and as it deals with the same subjects it is ofinterest as showing the state of scientific knowledge immediately before Darwin's publication of the Origin. Darwin is frequently quoted. GAS LIGHTING. on Gas-Light exhibiting a summary des- cription of the Apparatus and Machinery. London, 1815 £2 2s 8vo. Cloth with label. 6 ll., 186 pp. With 7 coloured folding plates. First Epition. This is the first practical treatise on gas lighting and it helped greatly
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