VAUQUELIN, (NICOLAS) - THE DISCOVERY OF CHROMIUM.

Sur une nouvelle substance métallique contenue dans le plomb rouge de Sibérie, et qu'on propose d'appeler Chrôme, à cause de la propriété qu'il a de colorer les combinaisons ou il entre. Lu à la premiere classe de l'Institut national, le 11 Brumaire, an 6. (+) Seconde Mémoire Sur le métal contenu dans le plomb rouge de Sibérie.

Paris, Fuchs et Guillaume, An VIe. (1798). Contemp. hcalf. Spine gilt. Very slightly rubbed. Small stamps on verso of titlepage. In: "Annales de Chimie, ou Recueil de Mémoires concernant la Chemie" Tome 25. - 335,(3) pp., 2 engraved folded plates and 1 folded table..(the entire volume offered). Vauquelin's papers: pp. 21-32 a. pp. 194-204. Some brownspots to the first and last leaves, otherwise fine and clean.

First printing of the papers in which Vauquelin describes and announces his discovery of Chromium. The first paper was simultaneously printed in Mem.de l'Institut. Because of its many coloured compounds Fourcroy and Haüy suggested the name 'chromium' for the new metal. (Greek, chroma-colour).

In 1797, Vauquelin began his own studies of Siberian red lead. He was convinced that the mineral contained a new element. None of the elements then known could account for his results. He reported "a new metal, possessing properties entirely unlike those of any other metal."
A year later, Vauquelin was able to isolate a small sample of the metal itself. He heated charcoal (nearly pure carbon ) with a compound of chromium, chromium trioxide (Cr 2 O 3 ). When the reaction was complete, he found tiny metallic needles of chromium metal.
DSB XIII, p. 597 - Parkinson "Breakthrough" 1798 C.

The volume contains other importent papers in the history of chemistry, Guyton "Examen de quelques propriétés du Platine" a. "Examen de quelques critiques de la nomenclature de chimistes francais", Chaptal "Observations sur la fabrication de l'acétite de cuivre (verd-de-gris) etc.

Order-nr.: 43089