Davy, Sir Humphry (1778-1829) Autograph Letter Signed, [c. 1804].

Description:

Davy, Sir Humphry (1778-1829) Autograph Letter Signed, [c. 1804].
Wove paper bifolium inscribed on three pages, with holograph addressed self-envelope. To fellow English chemist William Clayfield (1772?-1837) regretting that they didn't have a chance to visit, describing fly fishing, and making oblique references to sex. Old folds, dusty on the self-envelope side, torn with loss where the seal was opened, 8 3/4 x 6 3/4 in.
Davy studied nitrous oxide and invented a safety lamp for coal miners; he was also a poet and involved with the Pneumatic Institution for Inhalation Gas Therapy. In this letter Davy refers to Thomas Beddoes (b. 1760),founder of the Pneumatic Institution; playwright John Tobin (1770-1804); the chemist Charles Hatchett (1765-1847),mentioned in passing in the P.S.; and historian and engineer Davies Gilbert [aka Davies Giddy] (1767-1839).
Estimate $1,500-1,800


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