[Presentation Copy From the Author] Report on the Variations of the Magnetic Intensity Observed at Different Points of the Earth's Surface.

Edward Sabine

Published by Edward Sabine, 1838

About this Item

Originally published as part of the Report of the Seventh Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science (Liverpool, 1837), this foundational work by Major Edward Sabine (1788 1883) represents one of t. Octavo. Original pebbled green cloth, printed paper spine label (slightly chipped). 85 pages plus leaf of errata, 2 plates, and 3 folding maps. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author: "Mr. Ermans [?] / with the author's / best respects." Near fine example. Originally published as part of the Report of the Seventh Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science (Liverpool, 1837), this foundational work by Major Edward Sabine (1788 1883) represents one of the earliest systematic attempts to quantify and interpret global variations in terrestrial magnetism. Drawing from extensive empirical observations, Sabine s 1838 report served as a preliminary synthesis of magnetic intensity measurements conducted at geographically diverse locations, forming the empirical groundwork for later theoretical and instrumental advances in geomagnetism."Sabine was distinguished from his many contemporaries who collected similar data by his successful promotion and administration of a world-wide effort to gather terrestrial magnetism observations, designated the magnetic fever or the magnetic crusade by observers." (DSB) Presented to the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1837, Sabine's report tabulates the results of magnetic intensity observations of scientists in all parts of the world. The work contains material relating to observations in the Arctic, North and South America, and notices of the contributions of Humboldt, Lutke, King, Ross, Fitz Roy, Freycinet, &c.Sabine, an artillery officer and prominent physicist, was among the leading figures of early 19th-century geophysical science. His 1838 report prefigured his broader role in organizing and interpreting the data collected during James Clark Ross s magnetic survey of the Antarctic (1839 1843) and marked a transition in magnetic studies from sporadic expeditionary data to a coherent global framework. With the support of the Royal Society and British government, Sabine later directed a coordinated network of fixed magnetic observatories across the British Empire at locations including St. Helena, the Cape of Good Hope, and Hobart many of which were strategically aligned with the Ross expedition s southern observations.This early publication captures the methodological rigor and imperial scope of Sabine s scientific ambitions. It outlines the instrumental standards, data collection protocols, and preliminary analyses that would be refined over subsequent decades into a comprehensive system of geomagnetic mapping. The report s significance lies not only in its immediate content but in its role as the public foundation of a long-term scientific enterprise that culminated in Sabine s multi-volume publications in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. These later works, richly illustrated with engraved charts and diagrams, demonstrated correlations between geomagnetic variation and solar activity, offering the first strong evidence of a connection between sunspot cycles and geomagnetic storms.As a document of early Victorian science, the Report on the Variations of the Magnetic Intensity reflects Sabine s dual commitment to empirical precision and imperial coordination. It is an important milestone in the history of geomagnetism and an early example of the systematic, international scientific collaboration that characterized the later 19th century. RarityThe report is extremely rare.RBH lists no examples of the work on the market since 1964.

Seller Inventory # 112077

Bibliographic Details

• Title: [Presentation Copy From the Author] Report on the Variations of the Magnetic Intensity Observed at Different Points of the Earth's Surface.
• Publisher: Edward Sabine
• Publication Date: 1838
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: vg+
• Book Type: Book
• Seller catalogs:
  • Antique Maps