Description:

Jean-Baptiste Biot, Important French Physicist, ALS Written to His Publishers

A 1p autograph letter signed in French by preeminent physicist Jean-Baptiste Biot (1774-1862), boldly signed by him as "Biot" at center. The signature, which is quite forceful and dark, measures 3.25" x 1.75" alone including the long, curved tail of the "t." N.d., n.p. Inscribed on the first page of bifold paper, with the inner pages blank and the outer page serving as an integral address leaf also engrossed by Biot. Expected paper folds, uneven toning, isolated foxing, and minor chipped edges. A small closed tear on the outer wrapper corresponds to a wax seal only partly present. Else good to very good. 8.375" x 10.75." Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA Authentication Services, serial number AI02528, dated March 16, 2021.

Jean-Baptiste Biot addressed this letter "A Monsieur / Monsieur Emilien / chez Mr Didot / Paris." We speculate that Monsieur Emilien (as well as the two others mentioned in the letter, Monsieur Le Crome and Monsieur Santon) were probably editors at the firm of Firmin Didot Frères, Fils et Compagnie, a leading French printing and publishing house. The Didot firm, which received a royal charter in 1754, was family-operated. Its most remarkable executive was Firmin Didot (1764-1836), who introduced the stereotype, or plate without moveable type, into the printing process, making his editions more accurate and less expensive.

Jean-Baptiste Biot had at least two of his scientific works published by Didot: "Recherches Expérimentales et Mathématiques sur les Mouvemens [sic] des Molecules de la Lumière autour de leur Centre de Gravité" [trans: "Experimental and Mathematical Research on the Movements of Molecules of Light around their Center of Gravity"] (1814); and "Recherches Sur Plusiers Points de l'Astronomie Égyptienne, Appliqués aux Monumens [sic] Astronomiques Trouvés en Égypte" [trans: "Research on Several Points of Egyptian Astronomy, Applied to Astronomical Monuments Found in Egypt"] (1823). Could this correspondence date from the 1810s-1820s, and relate to one of these publications?

Translated in part:

"I just brought the publisher's proof to Monsieur Emilien --- the note that M Le Crome returned to me [is one] that I have inserted into my memory. I pray Monsieur Emilien to kindly return it to Monsieur Santon with the recommendation not to lose it; and if anyone wants to return it to me as text, along with the corrected publisher's proof, I will verify the accuracy of the corrections.

I pray you to accept all my compliments

Biot."

Biot was an important French physicist whose research of light, heat, magnetism, and space fundamentally improved our understanding of the physical world. Biot was a recipient of the Légion d'Honneur and was inducted into the Royal Society of London, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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