Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl Stanhope | A presentation copy inscribed to Franklin

Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl Stanhope

Principles of Electricity, Containing Divers new Theorems and Experiments, Together With An Analysis Of the Superior Advantages of high and pointed Conductors. This Treatise comprehends an Explanation of an Electrical Returning Stroke, by which, Fatal Effects may be Produced, even at a Vast Distance from the Place where the Lightning Falls. London: Printed for P. Elmsly, in the Strand, M.DCC.LXX.IX (1779)

4to (284 x 214 mm, uncut). Blue paper issue, with early manuscript corrections in ink following the errata list, woodcut tailpiece ornaments in text, and 6 engraved folding plates at rear; light toning mostly affecting the first and last few gatherings, very infrequent pale spotting or staining, a crease to the upper corner of the title-page, gathering a loosening at the top of the gutter, a marginal tear to leaf 2C1 not affecting the text, offsetting in the plates, a rather clean, full-margined copy. Contemporary calf-backed marbled boards; rebacked, preserving much of the original spine, the boards rubbed with wear along edges, hinges reinforced. Half red morocco slipcase, chemise.

A deluxe presentation copy of the Principles of Electricity, given to Benjamin Franklin by the book's author, Charles Stanhope, and inscribed on the front free endpaper, “From the Author to B. Franklin, 2nd June 1785.” This outstanding copy, printed on blue paper, with manuscript corrections evidently in the author's hand, remains uncut and in its original boards, much like it was when Franklin received it.

Charles Stanhope (1753–1816), a radical Whig politician, an experimental scientist, and an inventor with an interest in printing presses, shared much in common with Franklin. He undoubtedly would have admired Franklin, both for his politics, and for his achievements in science, printing, and writing.

The present work mentions Franklin's electrical experiments several times. In fact, a sizeable portion of it, including one of the plates, is dedicated to the debate that Franklin had started over whether sharply pointed lightning rods are more effective at neutralizing electric charges than ones with rounded tips. In this matter, Stanhope supported Franklin's pointed tips against King George III, The Royal Society, and rounded tips. With the Revolutionary War actively raging, the debate had become politicized, so his strong position on the matter was a controversial one. After conducting a series of highly publicized experiments, he felt that he had proved Franklin correct. He published his findings in this work. Later, he thanked Franklin and memorialized their shared victory by giving him this copy of his book.

Stanhope also invented two calculating machines, a microscope lens, a steam carriage, and a new variety of more durable cement, as well as a stereotyping machine and the first completely iron hand printing press, which he called the Stanhope press. When this work was published, he still styled himself Charles Viscount Mahon; he would later succeed to the peerage in 1786.

In June 1785, when Franklin received this book, he was preparing to leave Passy. In mid-July 1785, he boarded a ship at Havre de Grace and set sail homewards, arriving in Philadelphia that September. The idea for this special presentation copy, however, may have been born a year earlier in the Fall of 1784, when William Temple Franklin met both Charles and his father while in London. William wrote to his grandfather on 12 October, stating, "Lord Stanhope—& his Son Ld. Mahon, (who live at abt. 3 Miles from Mr. Sargents),—rec'd me very politely,—& express’d the greatest Respect for you.— I have a Book for you from Ld. Stanhope—& another for the Society at Philada" (Papers 43:178–180). The book William mentions in his letter was likely the Opera quaedam reliqua (Glasgow, 1776), a posthumous work by the Scottish mathematician Robert Simson that Lord Stanhope had underwritten.

REFERENCES

ESTC T140651; Wolf and Hayes, Library of Benjamin Franklin 3236

PROVENANCE

Benjamin Franklin (presentation inscription from the author) — Laird U. Park Jr. (Sotheby's New York, 29 November 2000, lot 338)