First edition of Hans Christian Ørsted's (1777–1851) poem “Luftskibet” (“The Airship”), which includes 18 pages of important remarks, partly dealing with Ørsted's discovery of electro-magnetism. Inscribed by the author to the Danish “Herr Professor Schröder” (probably Johan Henrik Schröder 1791–1857).

Ørsted is probably best remembered for his groundbreaking discovery of electromagnetism in 1820, but he was also a lively participant as regards the Golden Age cultural scene and literary debate, and his love of poetry was greatly enhanced by his long-term friendship with Adam Oehlenschläger, among others. Luftskibet is the best known of Ørsted's own poetic dabblings. Published in 1836, it is a series of poems in various verse forms. Ørsted wrote Luftskibet as an attempt to present science in a poetic manner.

Bibl. Dan. VI, 420.

Provenance: H.P. Rohde's book collection.