Davy, Humphrey. "Ueber die chemischen Wirkungen der Electricität. (Vorgelesen in der königl. Societät zu London, als Bakerian Lecture am 20sten Novemb. 1806)". In: Annalen der Physik, (Halle, Rengerschen Buchhandlung, 1808) , Series I/band 28, parts 1+2 with1 engraved plate. Davy's paper occupies pp 1-43. and pp. 161-202.
We offer the entire issue for the full half-year, with all four original front and rear wrappers bound in, and as such is quite rare. Very good condition. $750
First German edition.
"Humphrey Davy...was among the first to investigate the decomposition of water. In 1806 he delivered a Bakerian Lecture (the paper offered here in the German version) before the Royal Society of London "On some chemical agencies of electricity" (1807), which pointed out several fallacies in the theory of electrolysis. Davy's experiments on the chemical effects of electrical currents on substances, causing their decomposition, led to his discovery of several new elements: potassium (1807), sodium (1807), barium (1808), calcium (1808), and boron (1808)" (Milestone of Science No. 52) Partington vol. IV 42; PMM No 255 (note).
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.
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