Beschreibung:

FARADAY, Michael (1792-1867). Experimental researches in chemistry and physics . London: Richard Taylor and William Francis, 1859. 8 o (216 x 136 mm). Frontispiece portrait, 3 engraved plates by James Basire text illustrations, 2 errata slips. With an engraving of Faraday, and a list of "Faraday Memorials" (including this book) exhibited at the centenary of the Royal Institution in June 1899 bound in at rear; an autograph note signed from Faraday, and an inscribed visiting card from John Leighton laid in. Later 19th century crushed maroon morocco with black, gilt and aluminium borders and aluminium fillets, gilt lettered spine, inner gilt dentelles, gilt edges (spine faded). Modern cloth box. Provenance : presentation copy to John Leighton (1822-1912), a prominent illustrator, author, and designer of publisher's bindings (presentation note from Faraday bound in: "I send a copy of my Experimental Researches in Chemistry and also of a lecture I once gave. I hope you will accept them with my humblest thanks for your own work Ever Truly Yours M. Faraday," Leighton's engraved armorial bookplate, inscription in Faraday's hand on title: "John Leighton Esqr from the author"). FIRST BOOK EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, of a collection of papers from the Philosophical Transactions and other journals. Faraday had begun his career as a bookbinder, and this copy was presented in return for a gift from John Leighton of a catalogue of examples of his work. Leighton's visiting card, which is inscribed with the heading "Faraday Centenary", notes that this is the first use of aluminium in book decoration, and that the book was exhibited at the International Exhibition of 1862. Norman 765.