Magnetism & Electrics.- Gilbert (William) De magnete, magneticisque corporibus, et de mango magnete tellure; Physiologia nova, plurimis & argumentis, & experimentis demonstrata, first edition, woodcut printer's device to title, and to verso woodcut author's arms, single folding woodcut plate, as well as illustrations, diagrams, initials and decorations, contemporary calf, gilt, [Wellcome 2830], folio, Peter Short, 1600.

⁂ A fine first edition copy in contemporary binding, of the first major English scientific treatise based on experimental methods of research. but he also discusses the attractive effect of amber (electrum) and thus has been regarded as the founder of electrical science, coining the terms ‘electricity,’ ‘electric force’ and ‘electric attraction.’ Gilbert’s work influenced Kepler, Bacon, Boyle, Newton and, in particular, Galileo.