On a New Series of Organic Bodies Containing Metals

"From novel and highly obscure compounds he had discovered one of the great principles of all chemistry, which came to be known as valency. Although others, particularly August Kekulé, claimed priority for this discovery, Frankland was certainly the first to articulate the concept of what he called ‘combining power’. The results he later communicated to the Royal Society, and they were read to the society's meeting on 10 May 1852. This important paper was subsequently published as ‘On a new series of organic bodies containing metal’ (PTRS, 142, 1852, 417–44)" (Oxford Dictionary of National Biography).  

Frankland's research on "combining power" revolutionized modern structural chemistry and established his reputation as one of the most important theoretical chemists in the world.

IN: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London 142 pp. 417-444, 1852. 

First edition.  Fine extract bound beautifully in aged leather and boards.