A manuscript abstract for his late work on electromagnetism - photo 1
A manuscript abstract for his late work on electromagnetism - photo 2
A manuscript abstract for his late work on electromagnetism - photo 3

A manuscript abstract for his late work on electromagnetism

Lot 51
19.10.2023 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
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$ 15 120
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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ID 1032703
Lot 51 | A manuscript abstract for his late work on electromagnetism
Estimate value
$ 3 500 – 6 000
FARADAY, Michael (1791-1867). Autograph manuscript, "Effect of heat upon the absolute magnetic force of bodies.," [London, not after 22 November 1855].

One page, bifolium, 321 x 219mm., comprised of twenty lines with several corrections, docketed "Mr. Faraday's abstract" and "Abstract of Dr. Faraday's Paper" (occasional light toning at extreme margins). [With:] the original enclosing transmittal panel addressed in his hand to "Dr. [William] Sharpey, Secretary &c &c &c Royal Society, Somerset House," and signed ("M Faraday") at the lower left. (Wax seal remnants, light toning at folds). Blue cloth chemise and clamshell.

A rare abstract for some of Faraday's final work on electromagnetism: an abstract of his paper for the 30th series, section 40, of his Experimental Researches in Electricity, first published as a series of papers in the Transactions of the Philosophical Society between 1832 and 1855. The abstract itself was published before the Phil. trans., in Proceedings of the Royal Society, vol 7, pp 524-6 (1855). Faraday delivered the full paper before the Royal Society on November 22, and published in Transactions in 1856. Interestingly, the three papers of the 30th series were not included in the collected edition of the papers, volume three, which also appeared in 1855 (nor do they appear in the later reprints). This manuscript represents some of Faraday’s final work on electromagnetism, and his experimental investigations of fields of force, the precursor of Maxwell’s field theory. It continues the theme of sections 38 and 38, titled respectively "Constancy of differential magnecrystallic force in different media" and "Action of heat on magnecrystals." It begins: "Results were sought for by which the magnetic force of bodies already examined in the condition of magnecrystals might be compared with the whole paramagnetic or diamagnetic force of the same bodies, taken in the granular or amorphous state…" followed by an examination of the change of magnetic properties in relation to the temperature of the object.

"During the 1850s when the stream of highly speculative papers on the nature of force and its transmission were appearing in the Philosophical Magazine ... Faraday continued his experimental researches ... The concept of the lines of force and the field now provided him with an overall picture of physical reality. The chain, in a sense, was complete. Only here and there was a link missing, and these Faraday sought to discover’ (L. Pearce Williams, Michael Faraday, a Biography, p 465). "By the mid-1850s Faraday had gone as far as he could go. He had provided a new perspective for those who would look on all manifestations of force in the phenomenal world. His description of this perspective was fuzzy and imprecise but capable of clarification and precision if taken up by someone who could share Faraday's vision. Such a man was James Clerk Maxwell, who, in the 1850s and 1860s, built field theory on the foundations Faraday had laid" (DSB).

Rare. Faraday’s manuscripts are in the Royal Institution and the Royal Society, including the majority of papers read to these institutions. Letters by Faraday do occasionally appear for sale, but we are unaware of other scientific manuscripts appearing at auction.
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