FR EN
an old newspaper page with two pictures of a lighthouse and a sky
Premium Jeschke Jádi Auctions Berlin

Estimate €700 - €1,000
Sale commission
Description
Astronomy Silberschlag, Johann Esaias A letter to his brother George Christoph Silberschlag concerning the Northern Lights observed in Berlin on the 18th of January 1770. With copperplate engravings. With a woodcut title vignette and 2 folded copperplate plates. Berlin, published by the bookshop of the Real-Schule, 1770. 23 pp. Contemporary paper cover (slightly bumped and browned). First edition. – Poggendorf II, 930. – Roberts/Trent 295. – ADB XXXIV, 314 – In this work, Silberschlag described an exceptionally intense aurora observation over Berlin. In the spirit of the Enlightenment, he argued emphatically that the Northern Lights are natural phenomena and not – as was often assumed in popular belief at the time – supernatural signs or warnings from God. Silberschlag drew on various sources to support his argument, which demonstrated that the occurrence of the Northern Lights affects the magnetic needle. He thus recognised, as early as the 18th century, the direct connection between the Northern Lights and the Earth’s geomagnetic field. – Slightly tanned, stamp on the reverse of the title page. First edition. – In this treatise, Silberschlag described an exceptionally intense aurora sighting over Berlin. In the spirit of the Enlightenment, he argued forcefully that the Northern Lights are natural phenomena and not – as was often believed in popular folklore at the time – supernatural signs or warnings from God. Silberschlag drew on various sources to support his argument, which demonstrated that the occurrence of the Northern Lights affects the magnetic needle. Thus, as early as the 18th century, he recognised the direct connection between the Northern Lights and the Earth’s geomagnetic field. - Slightly discoloured, stamp on the reverse of the title page. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
See original version (German)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like