A Familiar Introduction to the Study of Electricity.

PRIESTLEY, Joseph.

$2,800.00

Item Number: 133012

London: Printed for J. Dodsley, in Pall-Mall; T. Cadell, Sucessor to Mr. Millar, in the Strand; and J. Johnson, in Pater-Noster Row, 1768.

First edition of Priestley’s beginner’s introduction to The History and Present State of Electricity with Original Experiments; the first book published on the subject. Quarto, bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards, illustrated with four plates. In very good condition. Rare.

When Priestley published his History of Electricity in 1767, the first history of the subject and a repository of contemporary experiments including his own, he thought he had provoked a work accessible to all. As it turned out, however, his book, which had earned him a first-hand reputation among scientists, was too difficult for beginners. He wrote A Familiar Introduction as a remedy, publishing new text with four original plates from his history. The book was also used to promote sales of Priestley's electrical machine, which it announces as forthcoming: this was a machine for home entertainment or the beginning student; copies of the book would be given away with purchase of the machine. Electrical machines, the electrical pencil and star, and Lane's and Kinnersley's electrometers are some of the subjects covered here. DSB Crook S/47. Gartrell 437. Ronalds 412.