Benjamin Franklin | Presentation copy of the first complete Experiments and Observations on Electricity

Benjamin Franklin

Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Made at Philadelphia in America. … To which are added, Letters and Papers on Philosophical Subjects. The Whole Corrected, Methodized, Improved, and now First Collected into One Volume. London: Printed for David Henry; and sold by Francis Newbery, at the Corner of St. Paul's Church-Yard, MDCCLXIX (1769)

4to (226 x 170 mm). Half-title, errata/advertisement leaf, 7 engraved plates (2 folding, 5 full-page) by T. Jeffreys, T. Hulett and B. Cole, woodcut text illustrations, headpiece and decorative initial, pp. 111–112, 416–417, and 465–472 duplicated in the pagination as issued, 16-page index at end; light browning and occasional light foxing. Near-contemporary vellum over boards, red morocco spine label, plain endpapers, blue-sprinkled edges; spine gilt-stamped; light soiling and rubbing, label faded. Vellum folding-case, large black morocco spine label.

Presentation copy, now obscured by Franklin's inscription on the half-title—"Father Frisi | From the Author"—having inexplicably been erased (although still just legible). Paolo Frisi (1728–1784) was an Italian priest, mathematician and astronomer, who played a major role in the compilation, interpretation, and dissemination of the work of scientists such as Galileo, Newton, Cavalieri, and d’Alembert. Frisi also worked on electricity and was the first to introduce the lightning conductor into Italy. Although only one letter between him and Franklin is recorded, they were evidently in contact for many years and met at least once in London.

The fourth, first collected, and most desirable edition of Franklin’s most significant scientific publication. "This edition is especially important because it includes additional material not present in the first edition of 1751" (Norman). This edition is the first to include complete notes on all of Franklin’s important experiments on electricity, as well as many other subjects. It includes the first appearance of his letter to Oliver Neave, encouraging him to learn how to swim and extolling the “enjoyment in so delightful and wholesome an exercise,” which was subsequently often reprinted under the title “The Art of Swimming.” 

REFERENCES

ESTC T101040; Ford 307; Howes F320; Lipman/Celebration 43; Norman 830; Sabin 25506; Wellcome III:62; cf. Printing and the Mind of Man 69; cf. Antonio Pace, Benjamin Franklin and Italy (American Philosophical Society, 1958), passim

PROVENANCE

Paolo Frisi (erased presentation inscription) —C. E. Rappaport, bookseller, Rome (label) — Albert Edgar Lownes (bookplate) — S. S. Dunham (pencilled signature on front free endpaper) — James S. Copley (bookplate; Sotheby's New York, 15 October 2010, lot 588)