Electricity and the vacuum.- Guericke (Otto von) Experimenta nova (ut vocantur) Magdeburgica de Vacuo Spatio, first edition, additional engraved title, armorial plate facing dedication leaf, portrait, 2 double-page plates and 20 illustrations in text, some full-page (one repeated), [Horblit, 100 Books famous in Science 44; Dibner, Heralds of Science 55], Amsterdam, Johann Jansson van Waesberge, 1672 bound with Geys (Petrus) and others. Philosophia Universa de Microcosmo, engraved title-vignette, extensive contemporary ink annotations to title verso, Antwerp, Marcellus Parys, 1667, contemporary mottled calf, rebacked preserving original gilt spine, rather worn, folio

⁂ A very good copy of this highly important work on experimental physics. One of the double-page plates shows the famous Magdeburg experiment in which two copper hemispheres are fitted together, a vacuum created within by means of Guericke's air-pump, and then two horses attempted (unsuccessfully) to pull them apart. He thus demonstrated that air had weight and was then able to determine its density. "Copies of this first edition are now very rare. This remarkable work on experimental philosophy ranks next to Gilbert's in the number and importance of the electrical discoveries described. Electric conduction and repulsion, the discharging power of points, the dissipation of charge by flames, the light due to electrification, the crepitating noises of small sparks are all recognized." (Wheeler Gift catalogue, 170)
The second work is extremely rare with only the BL copy located on World Cat.