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FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN. New Experiments and Observations on Electricity . . . The Third Edition. Parts 1 and 2 (of 3) in one volume. Folding engraved plate. [2], ii, [2], 86 pages; [2], 89-109, [1] pages. 4to, old paste-paper boards, later calf back with red morocco lettering piece; occasional light marginal soiling, minor stain in lower outer corner of part 1 title, plate partly detached, with clean tear. London: D. Henry and R. Cave, 1760; R. Cave, 1762
Franklin's most important technical publication, "the most important scientific book of eighteenth-century America" (PMM), in which he proved that lightning is electrical and deduced the positive and negative nature of an electrical charge. The third part of this edition (designated "fourth edition" on the title) was published in 1765. Dibner, Heralds of Science 57; Grolier/Horblit 31a; Howes F320; Printing and the Mind of Man 199 (all describing the 1751-54 original edition in 3 parts); Ford 79, 95 (this edition).
