MAXWELL, James Clerk (1831-1879) - photo 1
MAXWELL, James Clerk (1831-1879) - photo 2
MAXWELL, James Clerk (1831-1879) - photo 3
MAXWELL, James Clerk (1831-1879) - photo 4

MAXWELL, James Clerk (1831-1879)

Lot 147
11.12.2024 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
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CHRISTIE'S
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
ID 1349674
Lot 147 | MAXWELL, James Clerk (1831-1879)
Estimate value
£ 8 000 – 12 000
MAXWELL, James Clerk (1831-1879)
A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism. Oxford: the Clarendon Press, 1873
A fine copy of the first edition, first issue, in a presentation prize binding, of Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism, advancing 'the significant hypothesis that light and electricity are the same in their ultimate nature' (Grolier/Horblit). Maxwell saw electricity not as just another branch of physics but 'as an aid to the interpretation of nature' and saw the study of electromagnetism 'as a means of promoting the progress of science' (Preface p.vii). This theory, one of the most important discoveries of nineteenth-century physics, was Maxwell's greatest achievement, and laid the groundwork for Einstein's theory of relativity. Grolier/Horblit 72; Norman 1466; PMM 355; Wheeler Gift 1872.

2 volumes, octavo (212 x 135mm). Half-titles, 21 lithographic plates, errata slip to vol. I indicating the first issue (leaf Q3 in vol. I with blank corner trimmed due to production flaw). Near-contemporary presentation prize binding of calf, covers with gilt arms of Exeter College, Oxford, within border of double gilt fillets and black dotted roll tool, spines richly gilt with red and green-blue morocco gilt lettering pieces, marbled endpapers and edges (extremities faintly rubbed with just a few minor insignificant scratches, two spine compartments of vol. I fractionally more heavily abraded); contained in a modern cloth box. Provenance: Arthur Stanley Butler (1854-1923, professor of mathematics; prize binding from Exeter College, Oxford, with ink manuscript presentation inscription in vol. I dated 1877).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
11.12.2024 – 11.12.2024
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
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