![RÖNTGEN, Wilhelm Konrad (1845-1923). 'Eine neue Art von Strahlen. II. Mittheilung.' Offprint from: Sitzungsberichte der Würzburger Physik.-medic. Gesellschaft, 1896, [nos. 1-2]. Würzburg: Verlag und Druck der Stahel'schen k. Hof.-und Universitäts- Buch- und Kunsthandlung, 1896.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2019/CKS/2019_CKS_17700_0327_001(rontgen_wilhelm_konrad_eine_neue_art_von_strahlen_ii_mittheilung_offpr124342).jpg?w=1)
![RÖNTGEN, Wilhelm Konrad (1845-1923). 'Eine neue Art von Strahlen. II. Mittheilung.' Offprint from: Sitzungsberichte der Würzburger Physik.-medic. Gesellschaft, 1896, [nos. 1-2]. Würzburg: Verlag und Druck der Stahel'schen k. Hof.-und Universitäts- Buch- und Kunsthandlung, 1896.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2019/CKS/2019_CKS_17700_0327_002(rontgen_wilhelm_konrad_eine_neue_art_von_strahlen_ii_mittheilung_offpr124350).jpg?w=1)
![RÖNTGEN, Wilhelm Konrad (1845-1923). 'Eine neue Art von Strahlen. II. Mittheilung.' Offprint from: Sitzungsberichte der Würzburger Physik.-medic. Gesellschaft, 1896, [nos. 1-2]. Würzburg: Verlag und Druck der Stahel'schen k. Hof.-und Universitäts- Buch- und Kunsthandlung, 1896.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2019/CKS/2019_CKS_17700_0327_000(rontgen_wilhelm_konrad_eine_neue_art_von_strahlen_ii_mittheilung_offpr121336).jpg?w=1)
Details
RÖNTGEN, Wilhelm Konrad (1845-1923). 'Eine neue Art von Strahlen. II. Mittheilung.' Offprint from: Sitzungsberichte der Würzburger Physik.-medic. Gesellschaft, 1896, [nos. 1-2]. Würzburg: Verlag und Druck der Stahel'schen k. Hof.-und Universitäts- Buch- und Kunsthandlung, 1896.
First edition, offprint issue, of the announcement of the discovery of the x-ray. In the autumn of 1885, Röntgen undertook a series of experiments with William Crookes's version of the 'Geisslertube,' a form of vacuum tube sealed at the ends with platinum terminals to permit the passage of an electric current through the tube. 'Röntgen found that X-rays are emitted by the part of the glass wall of the tube that is opposite the cathode and that receives the beam of cathode rays. He spent six weeks in absolute concentration, repeating and extending his observations on the properties of the new rays. He found that they travel in straight lines, cannot be refracted or reflected, are not deviated by a magnet, and can travel about two meters in air. He soon discovered the penetrating properties of the rays' (DSB).
This quick dissemination of Röntgen's discovery was made possible by the custom of sending offprints of articles to colleagues. To ensure priority for his discovery, Röntgen immediately submitted a Vorläufige Mittheilung (preliminary notification) to the editors of the Physical and Medical Society of Würzburg in the last week of December, 1895. The present offprint was an updated 'notification' published in March 1896. '[This] reported his latest findings: that x-rays render air conductive..., and that the target of rays does not have to be simultaneously the anode of the cathode-ray tube. He described a scale for measuring x-ray intensity, along with other innovations in equipment designed for the optimal production of x-rays' (Norman). Röntgen was awarded the first Nobel Prize for physics, received in 1901, for this work. Dibner, Heralds 162; Garrison-Morton 2683; Norman 1842; See Grolier/Horblit 90; Grolier Medicine 83A-B; PMM 380 (the last three references are to the periodical issue).
Octavo (228 x 150mm). Original orange printed wrappers (worn with corners chipped, knife score to upper margin of front wrapper but without loss); housed in later black boards. Provenance: Ernst Schwalbe (1871-1920; German pathologist and professor at Rostock; blind and ink stamps on upper cover).
First edition, offprint issue, of the announcement of the discovery of the x-ray. In the autumn of 1885, Röntgen undertook a series of experiments with William Crookes's version of the 'Geisslertube,' a form of vacuum tube sealed at the ends with platinum terminals to permit the passage of an electric current through the tube. 'Röntgen found that X-rays are emitted by the part of the glass wall of the tube that is opposite the cathode and that receives the beam of cathode rays. He spent six weeks in absolute concentration, repeating and extending his observations on the properties of the new rays. He found that they travel in straight lines, cannot be refracted or reflected, are not deviated by a magnet, and can travel about two meters in air. He soon discovered the penetrating properties of the rays' (DSB).
This quick dissemination of Röntgen's discovery was made possible by the custom of sending offprints of articles to colleagues. To ensure priority for his discovery, Röntgen immediately submitted a Vorläufige Mittheilung (preliminary notification) to the editors of the Physical and Medical Society of Würzburg in the last week of December, 1895. The present offprint was an updated 'notification' published in March 1896. '[This] reported his latest findings: that x-rays render air conductive..., and that the target of rays does not have to be simultaneously the anode of the cathode-ray tube. He described a scale for measuring x-ray intensity, along with other innovations in equipment designed for the optimal production of x-rays' (Norman). Röntgen was awarded the first Nobel Prize for physics, received in 1901, for this work. Dibner, Heralds 162; Garrison-Morton 2683; Norman 1842; See Grolier/Horblit 90; Grolier Medicine 83A-B; PMM 380 (the last three references are to the periodical issue).
Octavo (228 x 150mm). Original orange printed wrappers (worn with corners chipped, knife score to upper margin of front wrapper but without loss); housed in later black boards. Provenance: Ernst Schwalbe (1871-1920; German pathologist and professor at Rostock; blind and ink stamps on upper cover).
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