About this Item
A substantial early 20th-century American physics textbook designed for high school and introductory collegiate instruction, authored by faculty associated with Stuyvesant High School, New York City. The work presents a broad and structured survey of classical physics, progressing from matter and fluid mechanics through heat, sound, light, electricity, and electromagnetism. The contents reflect the applied scientific landscape of the 1920s, with discussion of telegraphy, radio, electrical measurement, and industrial technologies. Numerous photographic plates and diagrams illustrate laboratory apparatus and real-world demonstrations, while a dedicated section on 'Portraits of Great Physicists' situates the subject within its historical and intellectual tradition.
This copy is particularly notable for its dense and highly expressive student-era markings, transforming it into a unique artifact of early 20th-century classroom life. Ownership names including 'Hartnett' and 'Clement Brooks' appear alongside extensive marginal notes, calculations, and freehand sketches. The endpapers are filled with practice writing, geometric forms, mechanical diagrams, and whimsical cartoon-style drawings, suggesting active engagement with the material. Several laid-in manuscript sheets are present, including handwritten physics notes and small illustrated diagrams of magnets and related principles, further enhancing its value as a piece of educational ephemera.
Condition: Good (approaching Fair due to heavy use). Original cloth binding worn with rubbing, fraying at spine ends, and some weakness at hinges, though still intact. Text block complete but toned and soiled, with frequent pencil and ink annotations throughout. Page 51/52 detached and laid-in; other leaves show creasing and edge wear. No dust jacket as issued. Despite condition issues, the copy remains structurally sound and exceptionally rich in period markings and inserted material. Edition/printing: 1925 first edition, early printing, with no later impression or revision statements on the copyright page.
Robert W. Fuller, Raymond B. Brownlee, and D. Lee Baker were educators associated with Stuyvesant High School in New York City, one of the nation's premier science-focused secondary institutions. Their collaborative work reflects a pedagogical shift toward practical, student-centered science instruction in the early 20th century, emphasizing observation, application, and engagement with modern technological developments.
Seller Inventory # NF.FUL.1925.1
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