(1777 – 1851) Danish chemist and physicist who discovered that electric currents create magnetic fields, a phenomenon is known as 'Oersted's Law'. In 1820, Orsted published his discovery that a compass needle was deflected from magnetic north by a nearby electric current, confirming a direct relationship between electricity and magnetism. He also discovered aluminum, becoming thew first person to successfully produce it in its metallic state. Very rare good content (and quite humorous!) A.L.S. 'H. C. Orsted', 2pp. lg. 8vo., Copenhagen, Aug. 9-14, 1813 to his friend 'Jacobsen'. In part: '...I have successfully arrived after a very fortunate journey. On the way I was warmly received and was supplied 3 copies of my book for England. He would give me a summary of my book in the preface of the translation of Cloisoni[?]. In Amsterdam I got to know a Professor Krineway[?] who seemed to be admired in all parts of social science...what really makes me write to you today is that I have to draw your attention to the fact that Scheller[?] travels to Norway and that there will be a position vacant in anatomy at the university...I feel that one uses two formalities against the quality of being a good anatomist. One of them consists of the fact that somebody would rather have a doctor's hat even though it is sitting on an empty head rather than a head without that hat. The other objection is...you could easily get the hat and I even think that when you translate one of these into Latin. Among the two things the hat is naturally the main thing. The other thing is of course in your power... we strongly need you here...' Tear to integral address leaf mended with archival tissue, else very good. The identity of Orsted's book as mentioned in his letter may have been his 1809 'Videnskaben om Naturens almindelige Love' ['The Science of the General Laws of Nature'] or his 1812 'Ansicht der chemischen Naturgesetze, durch die neuern Entdeckungen gewonnen' ['View of the Chemical Laws of Nature Gained Through Recent Discoveries']. Also in the letter, Orsted urged his correspondent to consider applying for a vacant anatomy teaching position at the University of Copenhagen, where Orsted had taught since 1806. Sold with a 1986 printed catalog listing, also a COA from John Reznikoff / University Archives as well as our own.