DAVY, HUMPHRY. - ISOLATION OF BARIUM, MAGNESIUM, CALCIUM AND STRONTIUM FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Electro-Chemical Researches, on the Decomposition of the Earth; with Observations on the Metals obtained from the alkaline Earths, and on the Amalgam procured from Ammonia. Read June 30th, 1808.

(London, W. Bulmer and Co., 1808). 4to. No wrappers as extracted from "Philosophical Transactions" 1808 - Part I. Pp. 333-370. Clean and fine.

First printing of a historical paper in chemistry, his third Bakerian Lecture, in which he obtained for the first time, by means of electrolysis, the metals barium, magnesium, calcium and strontium. He further utilized the strong reducing power of potassium to prepare boron.

"Humphry Davy was one of the most brilliant chemists of the early nineteenth century. His early study of nitrous oxide brought him his first reputation, but his later and most importent investigations were devoted to electrochemistry. Following Galvani's experiments and the discovery of the voltaic pile, interest in galvanic electricity had become widespread. The first electrolysis by means of the pile was carried out in 1800 by Nicholson and Carisle, who obtained oxygen and hydrogen from water. Davy began to examine the chemical effects of electricity in 1800, and his numerous discoveries were presented in his Bakerian lectures." - Not in Wheeler Gift. - The Ronalds Library p. 128.

Order-nr.: 42335