science

SIR HUMPHREY DAVY SENDS THE ADDRESS OF SIR THOMAS BERNARD,  NOTED PHILANTHROPIST, TO SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE, THE BRITISH POET AND PHILOSOPHER

DAVY, SIR HUMPHREY (1778-1829) British chemist and inventor. Autograph Note Signed, “H. Davy.” One page, octavo. No place. “June 10^th 1807”.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN —  AS PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OVERSEES THE INDUCTION OF EDWARD PENNINGTON, A LEADING PHILADELPHIA QUAKER MERCHANT, WHO WILL FIND HIMSELF HELD PRISONER DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION FOR HIS REFUSAL TO SUPPORT THE WAR AGAINST BRITAIN

FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN.  (1706-1790) Founding Father of the United States, author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, statesman, and diplomat.  Scarce Partially-Printed Document Signed, “B. Franklin,” as President of The American Philosophical Society. One page, large oblong folio. Philadelphia. January 20, 1780. 

JOHN DALTON TO HIS FORMER SCHOOL MASTER,  JOHN FLETCHER, THE PERSON WHOM ENCOURAGED DALTON’S EARLIEST INVESTIGATIONS AND HIS STUDY OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE

DALTON, JOHN.  (1766-1844).  British chemist, physicist, and pioneer meteorologist; best known for introducing the atomic theory into chemistry, and for his research into color blindness, sometimes referred to as Daltonism;   published “On the Absorption of Gases by Water and other Liquids” (first read as a lecture on 21 October 1803, first published in 1805) — which contained his law of partial pressures now known as Dalton’s law.   Exceedingly Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “John Dalton”.  Two full pages, quarto.  Manchester, February 9, 1822.  Fine condition.  

EXTREMELY-RARE SIGNED DARWIN PHOTOGRAPH  —  ALSO SIGNED ON THE VERSO BY CONTROVERSIAL PHOTOGRAPHER OSCAR REJLANDER, WHO TOOK THIS CDV IMAGE AND WHOSE PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATED DARWIN’S THE EXPRESSION OF THE EMOTIONS IN MAN AND ANIMALS

DARWIN, CHARLES. (1809-82). British scientist and founder of evolutionary theory.  Superb and Exceedingly-rare Signed Carte-de-Visite Photograph.  Darwin is depicted [in a clear 1^st generation print], showing him seated in 1/2 length pose, facing right, with his hands clasped in front of him. Boldly signed on the lower margin, “Charles Darwin.” No place, [London]. No date  [circa 1871]. Also signed on the verso by OSCAR GUSTAVE REJLANDER (1813-  1875), the Victorian art photographer, who took this photograph: “O.G. Rejlander / 1 Albert Mansions, / Victoria Street S.W.”

‘BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS’  — 

AN OUTSTANDING BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LETTER OF THE HIGHEST HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE —  “I AM SORRY LORD CHATHAM’S MOTION FOR A CESSATION OF ARMS, WAS NOT AGREED TO. EVERY THING SEEMS TO BE REJECTED BY YOUR MAD POLITICIANS THAT WOULD LEAD TO HEALING THE BREACH;  AND EVERY THING DONE THAT CAN TEND TO MAKE IT EVERLASTING”

FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN. (1706-1790). ) Founding Father of the United States, author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, statesman, and diplomat. Highly Important Autograph Letter Signed, ”Your most obedt humble Servant, B. Franklin”. 

ALLESANDRO VOLTA  ~~  THE INVENTOR OF THE BATTERY

SENDING METAL “PLATES” OR COMPONENTS OF HIS ‘VOLTAIC PILE’ TO A SCIENTIFIC COLLEAGUE!

VOLTA, ALLESANDRO  (1745-1827)  Italian physicist, chemist and pioneer of electricity research; best known for the development of the first electric cell [battery] in 1800.  Exceptional Autograph Letter Signed, “A. Volta”, in Italian.   One full page, quarto.  Milano,  April 14, 1813. 

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE’S BOOK:   NOTES ON NURSING,  WHAT IT IS, AND WHAT IT IS NOT   —  WITH TIPPED IN PRESENTATION FROM HER, ON THE TITLE PAGE!

NIGHTINGALE, FLORENCE.  (1820-1910).  British nurse, hospital reformer and humanitarian.  Her book:  Notes on Nursing, what it is and what it is not.  Harrison, London, [1860].  First edition, very early, true first state, with the notice: “[The right of translation is reserved]” at the base of the title page and with illustrated, light-yellow end-papers bearing advertisements for Burkes’ Peerage, The Foreign Office List for 1860 [with the 8 in 1860 in slightly larger type] and Anthems for Parish Choirs listed.  Original dark brown/black pebbled cloth, with front cover lettered in gilt, blind-stamped ruling to covers, and spine.