Science, Medicine and Technology

[ George Christoph Eimmart, German engraver, and his daughter Maria Clara Eimmart, astronomer. ] Autograph Signatures ('Georg: Christoph: Eimmart' and 'Marie Claire Eimmart') with improving autograph quotations in Latin and French.

Author: 
Georg Christoph Eimmart the younger (1638-1705), German draftsman, engraver, and astronomer; his daughter Maria Clara Eimmart (1676-1707), astronomer, engraver and designer [ Riedener ]
Publication details: 
Both dated from Nuremburg. G. C. Eimmart's autograph on 12 May 1699; M. C. Eimmart's autograph on 27 April 1699.
£1,000.00

Each on one side of a 9.5 x 13.5cm piece of paper. Both in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. G. C. Eimmart's autograph headed by a four-line quotation in Latin beginning: 'Omnes probi viri actiones ad sua intima vergunt'. Signed: 'in Gonorem | Nobilissimi

[ Printed item, inscribed by author. ] Basis of Evaporation. Temperature of the Sea around the British Islands. Notes on the Climate of Ireland. By Richard Strachan, F.R. Met. Soc.

Author: 
Richard Strachan [ (1835-1924), of the Royal Meteorological Society ]
Publication details: 
Printed and Published by Williams & Strachan, 7 Lawrence Lane, Cheapside, E.C., and Lambeth, S.E. 1910.
£90.00

70 + [1]pp., 8vo. In blue cloth library binding. On aged paper, with split between title leaf and rest of volume. Label and stamps of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. Author's inscription (with slight damage to last two words) on front free endpaper: 'The Roy. Agricultural Society from the author'. Six copies on COPAC.

[ Inscribed offprint. ] On the Position of the Centre of Gravity in Man, as determining the Mechanical Relations of the Two Sides of the Body towards each other. By Andrew Buchanan, M.D.

Author: 
Andrew Buchanan, M.D. [ Andrew Buchanan (1798-1882), Scottish physician, Professor at the University of Glasgow ]
Publication details: 
'Read before the Philosophical Society of Glasgow, April 25, 1877.' Place and date of offprint not stated.
£80.00

24pp., 8vo. Disbound. In good condition, with light signs of age. Inscribed at head of first page: 'With kind regards.' 11 figures in text. Published in 'Proceedings of the Philosophical Society of Glasgow', vol. 10 (1875-1877).

[ College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. ] 'Secret' typed thesis, with 71 diagrams, on the interception of atomic bombers, titled 'Turning Performance and Manoeuvrability of Aircraft at Supersonic Speeds by Lieutenant (E) R. A. Langley, Royal Navy'.

Author: 
Lieut-Commander R. A. Langley, Royal Navy [ College of Aeronautics, Cranfield; Nuclear War; Atomic Weapons ]
Publication details: 
The College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. May 1952.
£1,250.00

The problem with which the thesis deals is summed up at the start: 'If war broke out in the near future, attack by atomic bombers would become an immediate possibility, and one of the biggest problems would be the defence of this Island, which, with its areas of dense population, particularly around its essential industries, would present many ideal targets to the enemy. It would, therefore, be essential to destroy, or attempt to destroy, each enemy bomber before it reached the coast.

[ R. E. B. Crompton, inventor and electrical engineer. ] Autograph Card in the third person, paying his subscription to the Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
R. E. B. Crompton [ Rookes Evelyn Bell Crompton ] (1845-1940), British inventor, electrical engineer and industrialist [ Crompton & Co. ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Thriplands, Kensington Court, W. [ London ] 31 January 1901.
£38.00

On both sides of a 9 x 11 cm. grey card with embossed letterhead. In good condition, lightly aged. Docketted and with Royal Academy of Arts stamp. 'Lt. Colonel Crompton begs to enclose a cheque in payment of his subscription and will be greatly obliged to the Secretary if he will send him a form to enable his Bankers - Messrs. Barclay & Co. to pay the subscription in future.' Crompton's firm Crompton & Co. was one of the world's first large-scale manufacturers of electrical equipment.

[ Robert Stephenson, railway engineer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Rob Stephenson') to '- Moberley Esq', regarding the purchase of a 'Machine'.

Author: 
Robert Stephenson (1803-1859), pioneering railway engineer, constructor of 'Stephenson's Rocket'.
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 24 Great George Street, Westminster [ London ]. 1 June 1852.
£450.00

2pp., 8vo. Bifolium. In good condition, with the text of the letter on the first leaf, and the second laid down on a leaf removed from an album. Stephenson's letter in good condition, on lightly aged paper. He writes that he is sending the recipient the reply he has received from 'Mr Harrison'. He feels that it would be better for Moberley to 'purchase the old Machine of the Contractors Messrs Rush & Lawton'. He does not know their address, but if they send him 'any drawing, it will be forwarded'. Rush and Lawton were Newcastle railway contractors. The recipient is probably W. H.

[ Printed pamphlet, inscribed by the author. ] An Address, delivered at the Third Anniversay of the Bath District Branch of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, On June the 6th, 1839; by John Smith Soden, President of the Meeting.

Author: 
John Smith Soden [ Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, Bath District Branch ]
Publication details: 
Bath: Printed by Mary Meyler and Son, Abbey Church-Yard. 1839.
£90.00

15pp., 8vo. Unbound pamphlet. Aged and worn. In manuscript at head of title-page: 'Dr Ainsworth from the Author'. In a short preface Soden explains that several members of the Association have asked him for a copy of his address, and that, although he does nto think it worthy, he has 'therefore had a small impression printed for private circulation only, in order to save the trouble of transcribing, [...]'. Scarce: only three copies on COPAC (BL, Bristol and Aberdeen).

Three Autograph Letters Signed "J.A. Fleming" (electronic engineer ) to Sir Henry Truman Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Sir John Ambrose Fleming
Publication details: 
November 1915 to February 1916; London.
£250.00

English electronic engineer (1849-1945), inventor of thermionic valve. Widely considered to be 'the founder of electronics'. All three items good though grubby and on slightly discoloured paper. Item three dog-eared and grubby in top left-hand corner. All signed 'J. A. Fleming' and bearing the Society's stamp. ITEM ONE (two pages, quarto, 15 November 1915, University College, Gower St, to Wood, docketed): On the subject of a paper he proposes to give to the Society entitled 'The Organisation of Scientific Research'.

[Darwin connection] Autograph Note Signed "W.S. Dallas" to the Rev. J.M. Mello, geologist, about a paper by Henry Clifton Sorby, geologist inter alia

Author: 
W.S. Dallas [ William Sweetland Dallas ], zoologist.
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] Geological Society, Burlington House, W., 15 Sept. 1874
£125.00

One page, 12mo, good condition, tipped on another peice of paper with unrelated notes on verso. Note (Wiki) "He curated collections at the British Museum and the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, and was editor of the Popular Science Review.

[William Pett Ridge, author.] Autograph Card Signed ('W. P. Ridge') to 'Miss Paget'.

Author: 
William Pett Ridge (1859-1930), English writer
Publication details: 
Letterhead of 24 Ampthill Square, London, NW. 'Thursday' [postmark 28 June 1906].
£25.00

In good condition, lightly-aged. Addressed to 'Miss Paget, | 28, Campden Hill Square | W.' Reads: 'I will look in this morning at the hour of coffee.'

[Arthur Campbell, Victorian photographer.] Memorandum of Agreement in which he undertakes to teach Leonard Langsford 'how to prepare the photographic paper called "Gelatino-chloride glossy printing-out paper"'. With three associated signed documents.

Author: 
Arthur Campbell of 6 Brooks Road, Gunnersbury, Victorian photographer [Leonard Langsford of the Lisle Press, 24 Whitcomb Street, London, printer; Campbell Studios?]
Publication details: 
Memorandum: 17 June 1910. Receipt by Campbell: on letterhead of The Acacias, Brooks Road, Gunnersbury, W. [London]. 8 July 1910. Letter by Langford: on letterhead of The Lisle Press Ltd., 24 Whitcomb Street, Pall Mall. 17 June 1910.
£280.00

The collection consists of four items. All four in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight creasing. ONE: Typed Memorandum. 3pp., foolscap 8vo. Signed over a stamp by Campbell, and witnessed by Florence Campbell of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Campbell agrees to teach Langsford 'how to prepare the photographic paper called "Gelatino-chloride glossy printing-out paper" by the same formula and process as he uses and put him in the way to start and carry on a business for himself'.

[Huxley] Envelope (ONLY) addressed and signed, "THHuxley", to "Rev. J.D. De la Touche | Stokesay Vicarage | Craven Arms".

Author: 
T.H. Huxley [Thomas Henry Huxley] (1825-1895), Biologist
Publication details: 
Stamped 'Bournemouth [18]86'.
£85.00

Small envelope only (no letter!), sl. dingy, with name "Professor Huxlery" written on it twice in another hand. With detail as described above.WITH:unused postcard photgraph of Huxly, head and shoulders.

[Pamphlet; Preservation of Rural England] Report of the Trunk Roads Joint Committee

Author: 
[Council for the Preservation of Rural England and The Roads Beautifying Association]
Publication details: 
Published by Council for the Preservation of Rural England, Printed by The Garden City Press Ltd, at Letchworth, Hertfordshire. [1937]
£135.00

36pp., 8vo, with photos and a folding "Diagram of the Dover Glasgow Road", green printed illustrated paper wraps, slight damage ot spine, condition mainly good. Initial sof previous owner on front cover. Three copies on COPAC (Nottingham, Kew, Brimighma, NOT BL).

Early Victorian manuscript medical( domestic?) receipt book, made out in medical Latin, with English notes, and including entries on syphilis, rheumatism, children's medicine, 'Ginger Beer Powders' and 'Cement for Electrical Machines'.

Author: 
Medicine for Children; [Early Victorian manuscript medical receipt/prescription book perhaps, from abbreviations, use of Latin, etc. an apothecary's receipt book].]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [England, circa 1848.]
£450.00

117pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper; in contemporary worn vellum binding, with metal clasp, with marbled endpapers. Two sequences of receipts, starting at different ends of the volume, one (rather more businesslike) later than the other. In addition to the total of 117pp. of receipts, each of the two sequences has its own thumb index.

[Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, playwright.] Typed Letter Signed ('Arthur Pinero.') to author W. Teignmouth Shore regarding injections for inoculation.

Author: 
Sir Arthur Wing Pinero (1855-1934), English playwright [W. Teignmouth Shore (1865-1932), author]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 115A. Harley Street, London W1. 12 April 1926.
£35.00

1p., 8vo. With mourning border. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-ruckled paper. After exclaiming 'How kind of you!' Pinero explains that he has been 'inoculated regularly since the autumn, and it has done me no good'. He continues: 'No, I won't say that; I might have been worse but for the injections.' He concludes by stating that he will show Shore's letter to his doctor, 'to prick his conscience'.

[Pamphlet] The Channel Tunnel

Author: 
H. M. Hozier
Publication details: 
London: Printed by C.F. Roworth, Great New Street, Fetter Lane, [London], ec, 1888
£56.00

12pp., 8vo, spine reinforced, covers(pp.1-2) grubby, small closed tear, mainly good condition. I counted three copies of this, the first, edition on COPAC.

[The Bristol Aeroplane Co., Ltd.] Printed illustrated brochure for 'The "Bristol" Titan Aircooled Aero Engine ['Series II']', accompanied by eleven black and white publicity photographs (four of the engine and seven of Bristol airplanes).

Author: 
The Bristol Aeroplane Co., Ltd., of Filton, Bristol [originally the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company] [aeronautics; aeronautical; aircraft]
Publication details: 
The Bristol Aeroplane Co., Ltd., Filton, Bristol. [Brochure printed by 'Edward Everard, Broad Street, Bristol.] [Circa 1928.]
£150.00

The Bristol Aeroplane Company was an early and important innovator in the field of aircraft design and development. Four variants of its Titan engine (I, IIF, II Special, and IV) were produced in 1928. The present brochure and photographs are contained in a large manila envelope, with 'The "Bristol" Aeroplanes' printed in green on front. The photographs are all in very good condition, and all measure around 18 x 23.5 cm. The brochure is 4pp., 4to, printed in brown on a bifolium of cream paper. It is in good condition, with a little wear and creasing.

[Charles Sanderson, Sheffield steel manufacturer.] Autograph Letter Signed from John Purdie to G. P. Nicholson of Wath, criticising Sanderson over his bankruptcy and 'the Sale of the new Steam Engine'. With receipt to Sanderson from Ralph Forster.

Author: 
John Purdie, Edinburgh Merchant [G. P. Nicholson, solicitor and naturalist, Wath-upon-Dearn, Yorkshire; Charles Sanderson (1803-1873) of Sharrow Vale, Sheffield, steel manufacturer]
Publication details: 
Purdie's letter: Edinburgh; 6 August 1845. Forster's receipt: Whitehaven; 17 April 1845.
£56.00

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Purdie's letter: 4pp., 4to. Closely and neatly written on a bifolium, with the last page cross-written over the third. Addressed, with postmarks and red wax seal, to 'G. P. Nicholson Esqre. | Wath | nr Rotherham'.

[Sir William Cubitt, civil engineer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Cubitt') to C. F. Stuart, headed 'Clyde Navigation', regarding a plan for proceeding in Parliament in respect to 'the question of interference with Lord Blantyre's property'.

Author: 
Sir William Cubitt (1785-1861), civil engineer [Charles Francis Stuart; Charles Walter Stuart (1818-1900), 12th Lord Blantyre; The Forth and Clyde Navigation; Glasgow; canal]
Publication details: 
16 Parliament Street [London]. 19 May 1836.
£220.00

1p., 4to. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. With envelope, addressed by Cubitt to 'C F Stuart Esqre | 20 New Norfolk Street | Park Lane', with red wax seal and postmarks, and docketted 'Mr Cubitt. Engineer'. He has received Stuart's letter of 17 May, and has 'since seen Mr. Buchanan with all the Reports Plans Instr[ucti]ons &c &c relative to the question of interference with Lord Blantyre's property', and he will 'more fully examine' them 'during the recess of Parliament'. He has 'also seen & consulted with Mr.

[Sir William Fergusson, Scottish surgeon.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm. Fergusson') [to F. A. Bulley],

Author: 
Sir William Fergusson (1808-1877), 1st Baronet FRCS FRS, Scottish surgeon, Sergeant-Surgeon to Queen Victoria
Publication details: 
Dover Street [Piccadilly, London]. 24 November 1844.
£80.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper with small spike-hole to one leaf. The letter begins: 'A hare and a pheasant delivered here the other day with F.A.B. Reading upon the parchment card - the initials, I immediately concluded of my old friend Mr. Bulley and the first information that he still lives after a certain bloody deed performed upon him many months ago.

[Printed offprint from Punch.] The ill-used Homoeopathists.

Author: 
[Victorian homoeopathy; homoeopathic; Punch, or the London Charivari]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [From 'Punch's Almanack', London, 1859.]
£80.00

1p.,12mo. Fifty-three lines of small type. Good, on lightly-aged and ruckled paper, with traces of mount on blank reverse. The item begins: 'MR. PUNCH is accustomed to receive letter and treaties, imploring him not to call homoeopathy fudge, and some of them attempting to assign reasons why he should not. In all these communications, the medical opponents of homoepathy are called "allopathists."' Later on the author comments: 'PROFESSOR HOLLOWAY is perhaps an allopathist; however he does not tell us on what principle his pills and ointments cure all diseases.

[Printed booklet.] Rules of the Reading Pathological Society. Established, July 13, 1841.

Author: 
[The Reading Pathological Society, founded in 1841; the Royal Berkshire Hospital]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [Reading, Berkshire; circa 1841.]
£80.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper with traces of previous mount. The nineteen rules begin with 'RULE I. | That this Society be called the Reading Pathological Society.' They end with 'RULE XIX. | That the Society be empoweredd to act at ordinary meetings, on any matters not comprehended in these rules, and that new rules may be added, or old ones modified, notice having been given at the previous meeting, but that such rules be submitted to the next Annual Meeting.' Scarce: no copies found on either COPAC or OCLC WorldCat. From the papers of F. A.

[Medical subject] Autograph Letter Signed "Sydney Holland". Viscount Knutsford to "Warner"[ascribed to a "Townsend Warner" in note added to letter in another hand [Harrow schoolmaster?]. Letter about the feeding of patients and nurses' diet.

Author: 
Sydney Holland, 2nd Viscount Knutsford (1855–1931), barrister, peer, Chairman of the London Hospital House Committee from 1896 to 1931
Publication details: 
[Headed] Kneesworth Hall, Royston, Herts, 11 Dec. 1913.
£90.00

Two pages, cr. 8vo, fold marks, good condition. "Do not I know that sort of critic. He probably knows nothing about Hospitals. It is so easy to make general statements. "Wasted" indeed. I wonder how one could waste money in feeding these poor people many of whom would be far better if we could feed them up. A short time ago one of our doctors suggested suet & treacle for his patients and got the reply 'we can't afford it'. It is miserable economy to starve patients. And as to nurses it is absolutely essential that their food should be appetizing & varied.

[Dr John Propert, founder of the Royal Medical Benevolent College, Epsom.] Printed prospectus for the College, with engraved depiction, signed and dated by him.

Author: 
Dr John Propert (1792-1867), founder of the Royal Medical Benevolent College, Epsom [now Epsom College]
Publication details: 
New Cavendish Street, Portland Place, W. [London]. February 1859.
£185.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of mount adhering to the blank reverse of the second leaf. The First page is headed, in fancy type, 'ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT COLLEGE. | EPSOM.', beneath which is an engraving of the College. The prospectus is presented in the form of a letter, and is dated 'Febry. 1859' and signed (as a 'faithful fellow-laborer') by Propert in light-blue ink.

[John B. Gough, 'the Apostle of Cold Water', American temperance orator.] Lithographic handbill titled 'John B. Gough's Beautiful Peroration on Water', the text accompanied by a portrait of Gough on stage, holding up a glass of water.

Author: 
[John B. Gough (1817-1886), 'the Apostle of Cold Water', American temperance orator]
Publication details: 
'Published by E Tisdall No 5. Church St Kensington [London]'. Undated [1850s?].
£50.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with small piece cut away from one corner, and traces of mount adhering to the blank reverse, which also carries a few marks in ink, with a couple of minor marks in the margin at the foot of the recto. At the head of the page is the engraving, roughly 12.5 x 12 cm, attractively done, and showing Gough in cutaway jacket and waistcoat, standing behind a table, with a seated audience behind him, holding aloft a glass of water.

[Dr Pierre Magnin, French physician.] Inscribed copy of his printed thesis, 'De l'Action de la Quinine sur les Fibres Musculaires Lisses. Thèse présentée et publiquement soutenue a la Faculté de Médecine de Montpellier le 13 août 1873.'

Author: 
Pierre Magnin, 'Né a Laboisse (Ain) Docteur en Médecine | ancien Interne des Hopitaux de Lyon' [Frantz Glénard (1848-1920)]
Publication details: 
Montpellier: Imprimerie L. Cristin et Ce., rue Vieille Intendance, 5. 1875.
£130.00

66 + [3] + [1] pp., 4to. The item has been disbound from a volume, and the title leaf is longer than the rest, in order to retain the ownership inscription in the top left-hand corner of the title-page, which carries a signed presentation inscription from Magnin to his colleague Frantz Glénard. The title leaf is creased and has a long vertical closed tear near the spine, which has been unobtrusively repaired with archival tape. Pp.53/54 and 61/62 have had text trimmed away by the binder.

[James Dickson of Edinburgh, inventor.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Jas Dickson') [to the Bank of Scotland], requesting funds in order to capitalise on the successful trial [of his 'Patent Water Engine'].

Author: 
James Dickson (1738-1822) of Edinburgh, Scottish inventor, engineer and lapidary [Bank of Scotland; Patent Water Engine]
Publication details: 
29 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh. 14 August 1820.
£165.00

1p., 4to. 26 lines, closely and neatly written. Good, on disbound leaf of aged and worn paper.

[The Caledonian Canal, Scotland.] Manuscript Letter, signed by James Hope of Rickman & Hope, solicitors, to the Bank of Scotland, regarding 'dues collected for the passage of Vessels through the Caledonian Canal'. With detailed accounts of receipts.

Author: 
[The Caledonian Canal, Scotland, designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1822; James Hope of Rickman & Hope, Edinburgh; George Sanby of the Bank of Scotland]
Publication details: 
31 Moray Place, Edinburgh. 27 December 1825.
£580.00

4pp., foolscap 8vo, on two bifoliums. On aged and worn paper, with slight bloom at head and a little loss to spine from disbinding.

[Erasmus Wilson.] Autograph Note Signed to Mrs Buchanan, sending new year's greetings.

Author: 
Erasmus Wilson [Sir William James Erasmus Wilson] (1809-1884), dermatologist and philanthropist
Publication details: 
17 Henrietta Street, Cavendish Square [London]. 2 January 1882.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Reads 'My Dear Mrs. Buchanan, | Many thanks for kindest New Year's greetings: - | A Happy New Year to you and yours | Faithfully yours | Erasmus Wilson'.

[Canals; printed report] To the Company of Proprietors of the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal Navigation.

Author: 
[Canal History]
Publication details: 
j. Wm. Morgan, Printer, Ship Street, Brecon, [1825]
£75.00

Four pages, bifolium, folio, 1" tears on fold marks, staining, loss of small amount of margin, text complete and clear. It includes: a statement of the Company's affairs "to the 27th of April, 1825 (expenditure, payments, debts, salaries etc.); "Abstract Account of Tonnage and Rent [...]" (Timber, lead, iron etc). Submitted by B.A. Griffith, and concluded by the "Orders" (dividend, etc.). Final page has manuscript address to "Richard Griffith Esq. M.D. | Cardiff."

Syndicate content