Bunsen, Robert & Gutav Kirchhoff. “Chemische Analyse durch Spectralbeobachtungen”, in Annalen der Physik volume 110, no. 6, pp 161-189 (1860) First edition. The discovery of cesium by Bunsen via spectroscopic analysis led to Kirchhoff’s “black-body” radiation (and otherwise at this time known as black radiation) discovery. Very nice copy. The entire volume of 660pp (with 8 engraved plates) is offered: $500
- Condition: Ex-libris Deutsche Akademie der Luftfahrtforschung, then Wright Patterson Field Library (USAF), then Library of Congress. Library markings: small gilt-stamped “Akademie der Luftfahrtforschung”, page edges stamped “Wright Field Library/Dayton, Ohio” on top and bottom. Contents quite nice
“Bunsen was exploring the possibility of analyzing salts on the basis of the distinctive colors they gave to flames containing them; he had tried with some success to use colored pieces of glass or solutions to distinguish similarly colored flames. Kirchhoff pointed out that a much finer and surer distinction could be obtained from the characteristic spectra of such colored flames; unknown to him, the approach had been tried before, if only in a dilettantish way. By rigorous experimentation, however, Bunsen and Kirchhoff soon put the method on a firm basis. The burner invented by Bunsen gave a flame of very high temperature and low luminosity, which emitted line spectra of great sharpness The power and importance of spectral analysis became immediately apparent: its very first systematic application to alkali compounds led Bunsen to the discovery of two new alkaline elements, cesium and rubidium.” [Dictionary of Scientific Biography (online), Vol. VII]