GEOLOGIST

[Sir Roderick Murchison [ Sir Roderick Impey Murchison ], Scottish geologist, discoverer of the Silurian system.] Two Autograph Letters Signed to Lady Theresa Lewis, one describing her son's 'frolic' at Burnham Beeches, the other a court action.

Author: 
Sir Roderick Murchison [Sir Roderick Impey Murchison] (1792-1871), Scottish geologist who discovered the Silurian system [Lady Theresa Lewis (1803-1865), author]
Publication details: 
ONE: '16 Belgrave Sq [London] / Monday Mng' [no date]. TWO: 'Friday Evng' [no date or place]
£165.00

See his entry and hers in the Oxford DNB. Both items in good condition, lightly aged, and both on bifoliums folded for postage. Both signed ‘Robert Murchison’ and addressed to ‘Dear Lady Theresa’. The subject of the first letter is Sir Thomas Villiers Lister (1832-1902), son of Lady Theresa Lewis by her first husband the novelist Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842). ONE (‘Monday Mng’): 3pp, 12mo. On his arrival at Burnham Beeches the previous afternoon he ‘found all the party sported with young Ladies in riding habits & your boy looking very well & in high spirits, but without a voice’.

[Thomas Thomson, botanist, geologist and plant hunter in India with Joseph Dalton Hooker.] Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed friend, discussing their burgeoning friendship and his plans for his career.

Author: 
Thomas Thomson (1817-1878), botanist and geologist, plant hunter in India with Joseph Dalton Hooker
Publication details: 
‘8 Teviot Row / Edinboro’ / June 25th. 1859.’
£100.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 12mo. Bivolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Addressed to ‘Dear Friend’ and signed ‘Thos. Thomson.’ Begins: ‘Having a few moments to spare, I take the opportunity of writing to you. I am sincerely sorry I shall not be back in time to see you before you leave for school, it would have afforded me much pleasure to have cemented our friendship more firmly.’ He likes the medical profession ‘better than any other’, and there is ‘every probability’ of his joining it. He would like to know the recipient’s opinion.

[Mary Caroline Hughes, artist, photographer and amateur scientist, wife of the Welsh geologist Thomas McKenny Hughes.] Autograph ms. of an original study by her of the poetry of John Keats.

Author: 
Mary Caroline Hughes [nee Weston] (1860-1916), artist, photographer and geologist, wife of the Welsh geologist Thomas McKenny Hughes (1832-1917) [John Keats]
Publication details: 
Undated, but written after her marriage in 1882.
£320.00

The last paragraph of McKenny Hughes’s entry in the Oxford DNB deals with his marriage, noting that his wife was ‘a keen amateur archaeologist, a botanist, and a distinguished artist, and under his tuition she became a valuable geologist’, and that the couple ‘travelled together on field excursions’, being accompanied on a trip to the Balkans by an armed guard. Six boxes of her papers are among the rest of those of the Hughes family in the Sedgwick Museum, Cambridge. The present item is 64pp, 4to, mostly on the rectos of a ruled ‘Universal Exercise Book.

[Isaac Roberts, Welsh geologist and astronomer.] Autograph Note Signed, a presentation inscription of a book to the mathematician and geologist A. H. Green.

Author: 
Isaac Roberts (1829-1904), Welsh geologist and astronomer, pioneer of astrophotography of nebulae, winner of Royal Astronomical Society Gold Medal [Alexander Henry Green (1832-1896), mathematician]
Publication details: 
June 1894; on letterhead of Starfield, Crowborough, Sussex.
£50.00

1p, 12mo. On aged and creased leaf, folded once and with traces of mount on the blank reverse. Reads: 'Presented to Prof. Alexr. H. Green M.A. F.R.S. With the compliments of the author | Isaac Roberts | June 1894'. The work presented was presumably the first (1893) volume of Roberts' pioneering 'Selection of Photographs of Stars, Star-Clusters and Nebulae', the second appearing in 1899. The two volumes contained 125 reproductions of photographs which he had exhibited at the Royal Astronomical Society. See both men's entries in the Oxford DNB.

[Arthur Holmes, geologist, and Robert W. Lawson, Einstein's English translator.] Offprint, inscribed by the authors to Prof. C. G. Curtis: 'Lead and the End Product of Thorium. (Part II.)'

Author: 
Arthur Holmes, A.R.C.S., B.Sc., F.G.S., Imperial College, London, and Robert W. Lawson, M.Sc., Radium Institute, Vienna
Publication details: 
'From the Philosophical Magazine [London], vol. xxix. May 1915.'
£120.00

16pp, 8vo, paginated 673-688. Stitched into brown wraps, with typed white label on front cover. At the head of the front cover, in manuscript: 'II | Prof C. G. Curtis | With the Authors' Compliments.' The offprint in good condition, on lightly aged paper, the brown wraps aged and chipped, with small of back wrap torn away at rear. The only other copy of this offprint on OCLC WorldCat at Durham University.

[Edward Hull, geologist, Director of the Geological Survey of Ireland.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Edward Hull') to Sir H. T. Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, suggesting the reading of a paper by relative on the German use of fat in explosives.

Author: 
Edward Hull (1829-1917), Irish geologist, Director of the Geological Survey of Ireland and Professor of Geology in the Royal College of Science, Dublin [Royal Society of Arts, London]
Publication details: 
Undated, but with date stamp of the Royal Society of Arts, London, 24 March 1916. On letterhead of 14 Stanley Gardens, W. [London]
£50.00

3pp., 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. With date stamp of the RSA, and endorsement in blue pencil. He is writing to inform Wood that 'a relative of mine has written a paper on a subject of importance regarding the connection of fat [containing glycerin] with manufacture of explosives in Germany - and showing how that Country is approaching a crisis - when her supply of fat will be approaching exhaustion'.

[James Wyatt, geologist and editor of the Bedford Times.] Autograph Letter Signed ('James Wyatt') [to the geologist/antiquary Samuel Sharpe], regarding geology, James Hervey, the qualities of a schoolmaster moved from Bedford to Northamptonshire.

Author: 
James Wyatt (1816-1878), geologist and editor and proprietor of the Bedford Times [Samuel Sharp (1814-1882), geologist and antiquary]
Publication details: 
3 April 1872. Bedford.
£56.00

4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged, with traces of glue from tipping-in affecting the lower part and underlining of Wyatt's expansive signature. Folded twice. 71 lines of text. Note in pencil at head of first page states that the letter was 'sent to Saml. Sharpe of Northampton author of The Moabite Stone', but the writer of the note has confused the Egyptologist Samuel Sharpe (1799-1881) with the real recipient, the geologist and antiquary Samuel Sharp (1814-1882), for both of whom see the Oxford DNB.

[Hanns Bruno Geinitz, German geologist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Dr. H. B. Geinitz'), in English, regarding his dealings in Dresden with 'Mr. Pilkington'.

Author: 
Hanns Bruno Geinitz (1814-1900), German geologist, Professor of Geology and Mineralogy in the Royal Polytechnic School at Dresden, and director of the Royal Mineralogical and Geological Museum
Publication details: 
'Dresden the 18. Jan. 1896.'
£150.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, somewhat aged and worn. The recipient is not named, but is presumably George Frederick Armstrong (1842-1900), Professor of Engineering, Ediinburgh, from whose family papers the item derives. Geinitz writes: 'With many thanks for your kind letter to introduce Mr. Pilkington. I only regret, that snow and other effects of Winter-time did not allow any trip in the neighborhood [sic] for Geological purposes: we could only spend some days for studies in our Geological Museum, which Mr.

[John Walter Gregory, geologist and explorer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J W Gregory') to 'Mrs. Green', explaining that he cannot accept her invitation as he must go to 'the Red Lion dinner'.

Author: 
J. W. Gregory [John Walter Gregory] (1864-1932), English geologist and explorer in Australia and elsewhere, who gives his name to the Gregory Rift in the Great Rift Valley
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the British Association, Oxford. 14 August 1894.
£80.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He cannot accept her dinner invitation as he has 'promised to go to the Red Lion dinner & as the friend who got me the invitation there had I fear some trouble to do so, I do not like to withdraw'.

[ Thomas George Bonney, geologist. ] Autograph Signature ('T. G. Bonney | Secretary') to duplicated document, asking Alexander Ramsay to serve on a committee of the British Association for the Advancement of Science with ten other named members.

Author: 
T. G. Bonney [ Thomas George Bonney ] (1833-1923), English geologist, President of the Geological Society of London [ Alexander Ramsay; British Association for the Advancement of Science, London ]
Publication details: 
British Association for the Advancement of Science, 22 Albemarle Street, London. 28 November 1882.
£100.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifiolium. Mimeographed document in purple ink. The date, Ramsay's name and Bonney's signature are added in Bonney's autograph. The Association's council, 'acting under the powers conferred upon them by the General Committee in accordance with their Report, have appointed a Committee [...] to carry into effect the recommendations of the portion of the Council Report accepted by the General committee'. A 'List of the Committee' is on the second page, the eleven members headed by 'Mr. H. G. Fordham (Secretary)' and featuring 'Mr. Francis Galton' and 'Mr. A. Ramsay'.

[ Thomas George Bonney, geologist after whom Lake Bonney in Antarctica is named. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('T. G. Bonney') to an unnamed lady, contesting that domestic service is a 'state of slavery'.

Author: 
T. G. Bonney [ Thomas George Bonney ] (1833-1923), geologist after whom Lake Bonney in Antarctica is named, President of the Geological Society of London
Publication details: 
23 Denning Road, N. W. [ London ]. On letterhead of the Athenaeum club, Pall Mall. 13 October 1904.
£220.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. A tantalizing extract from a correspondence. He begins: 'I doubt whether domestic service, as a rule, is quite the state of slavery you depict, but, as I said before, the question which you ask me is less simple than you appear to think and I can only say that every employer is bound to remember that those he (or she) employs has wants, bodily and spiritual, very similar to his own.' He concludes the letter, and the correspondence, by apologising that he 'cannot continue to write on the subject'.

[ William Sweetland Dallas, zoologist, 'collaborateur to Darwin'. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. S. Dallas') to 'G. Masters', agreeing under duress to allow a visit to the Geological Society collection, the scope of which he discusses.

Author: 
W. S. Dallas [ William Sweetland Dallas ] (1824-1890) of the Geological Society, zoologist, friend and 'collaborateur' to Charles Darwin, as also Huxley, Owen and Lyell
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Geological Society, Burlington House, W. [ London ] 19 May 1882.
£300.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. He begins by conveying his irritation that Masters had arranged 'a visit to the Society's Museum' without consulting 'the authorities'. However, as the notices have been distributed, and 'the party will be a very small one, we must do the best we can'. He asks to be informed, 'by return of post, what you think will interest your friends, in order that the drawers may be got out & prepared for their inspection'.

[ Sir Henry Ellis of the British Museum and Leonard Horner of the University of London. ] Autograph Note Signed from Horner to Ellis, requesting a Reading Room ticket for 'Mr Phillips', with Ellis's signed autograph refusal.

Author: 
Sir Henry Ellis (1777-1869), Principal Librarian at the British Museum, 1827-1856; Leonard Horner (1785-1864), Scottish geologist, Warden of the University of London
Publication details: 
Horner's Note from the University of London, 11 February 1830. Ellis's reply without place or date.
£65.00

1p., 12mo. Heavily aged and worn, with closed tear along fold line at head, and remains of mount on reverse. Horner's note, on the upper part of the paper, reads: 'Dear Sir | Be so good as admit Mr Phillips to the privileges of the Reading Room at the British Museum - | Yours faithfully | Leonard Horner | University of London | 11 Feby 1830'. Beneath this Ellis has written: 'My Dear Sir | Mr. Phillips can be admitted at the Age of Eighteen, but is not eligible for our Reading Room at present | Ever faithfully Yours | H. Ellis | L. Horner Esqr'.

[ Henry Carvill Lewis, geologist and mineralogist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('H. Carvill Lewis') to 'Prof. A. Ramsay' [ Alexander Ramsay, editor of the 'Scientific Roll' ]

Author: 
Henry Carvill Lewis (1853-1888), American geologist and mineralogist, debunker of paranormal claims
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 7 November 1884.
£180.00

2pp., 8vo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. He is sending 'the first two volumes of the Proceedings of the Mineralogical Section of the Acad - as also some papers of my own'. He has heard of Ramsay's 'Scientific Roll', and desires to 'heartily endorse it', in the 'hope that it may be continued – It will be of very great service to scientific men'. He will be glad to receive it, and in return to send 'from time to time both the Proceedings of the Section and other original material'.

[ Archibald Geikie, Scottish geologist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Arch Geikie') to a female student of geology, correcting the misidentification of two specimens.

Author: 
Sir Archibald Geikie (1835-1924), Scottish geologist and author
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Shepherd's Down, Haslemere, Surrey. 24 October 1907.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition. The recipient is not identified. The letter begins: 'Dear Madam | It always gives me pleasure when I can in any way assist a student of Geology, and the pleasure is not lessened when the student is a young lady.' He proceeds to explain how the two specimens about which she has written to him ('Frigonia incurva' and 'Pleuromya Voltzi') have been wrongly identified, concluding: 'Your specimens appear from your drawings to be only casts and may therefore be difficult to determine satisfactorily.'

[ Sir Joseph Prestwich, geologist. ] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Gustave', i.e. Victor Gustave Plarr, regarding 'Pebbles of white quartz'.

Author: 
Sir Joseph Prestwich (1812-1896), geologist [ Victor Gustave Plarr (1863-1929), poet and editor of 'Men and Women of the Time' ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Darent-Hulme, Shoreham, Sevenoaks. 6 June [ no year ].
£100.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. He thanks him for a copy of his 'papers', 'though I regret to say they are sealed books to me'. He explains how 'Pebbles of white quartz are originally derived from veins in the metamorphic rocks by marine action. They may occur in any formation & are common in many.' He describes the locations where they are to be found, before sending his and his wife's regards to Plarr and his wife.

[ Professor William Thomas Gordon of Kings College London, Scottish geologist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. T. Gordon') to 'Mr. Joy', expressing condolences on the loss of a daughter, and grief at the recent death of an uncle.

Author: 
W. T. Gordon [ William Thomas Gordon ] (1884-1950), Scottish geologist, Professor of Geology at Kings College London
Publication details: 
On leterhead of the University of London, Kings College. 5 May 1930.
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. 29 lines of closely-written text. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. 'Such a calamity must be a terrible blow for you all but more especially to Mrs. Joy and yourself. To lose a daugher just blossoming out into womanhood is tragic indeed, the more so, if that were possible, in that she was such a bright girl.' He continues 'By the same post I have word that one of my uncles has just died, and that another has been given up by the doctors. They have both lived full lives, and, in their way, interesting lives, so that, there, one can hardly talk of a tragic end.

[ Sir Humphrey Sumner Milford, publisher to the University of Oxford. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Humphrey S. Milford') to George Ravensworth Hughes, son of Thomas McKenny Hughes, Woodwardian Professor of Geology, Cambridge, regarding his wedding.

Author: 
Sir Humphrey Sumner Milford (1877-1952), publisher to the University of Oxford [ George Ravensworth Hughes (1888-1983), son of Thomas McKenny Hughes (1832-1917), Cambridge geologist ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Oxford University Press, Amen Corner, London. 12 March 1917.
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In very good condition, lightly aged. Had he known that Hughes's wedding was 'coming off so soon' he would have been 'in time with a little gift'. As it is, he asks him to choose for himself, 'with the aid of your wife': 'Are you and she sick of the Oxford Books of Verse? Is Shakspeare's England too weighty (avoirdupois) for war-time establishments?

[Thomas George Bonney, geologist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('T. G. Bonney') to an unnamed male recipient, commending his 'interesting paper', and discussing the 'Lafoten rocks', with reference to a conversation with 'Mr Dahl'.

Author: 
Thomas George Bonney (1833-1923), Professor of Geology in University College London, 1877-1901; President of the Geological Society (1884-1886)
Publication details: 
On letterhead of St John's College, Cambridge. 20 February 1871.
£220.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. He begins by commending the recipient's 'interesting paper': 'Of the justice of your remarks there can of course be no doubt, and even the small amount of knowledge that I have been able to acquire of the nature of rocks, has for some time past convinced me of the importance of what you '. He explains that he did his best 'in getting specimens of the Lafoten rocks, but the tast was very difficult and very unsuccessful, owing to the great hardness of the rocks. Quarries of course were absent'.

[Printed Press Extracts' relating to the geologist William Hobbs Shrubsole.] 'Biographical Sketch of W. H. Shrubsole, F.G.S.' from the East Kent Gazette; 'Presentation to Mr. W. H. Shrubsole, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.' from the Sheerness Times, and two others

Author: 
William Hobbs Shrubsole [W. H. Shrubsole] (1837-1927), British geologist, who made discoveries at Sheerness
Publication details: 
Extracts from the East Kent Gazette, the Sheerness Times, the Proceedings of he Geological Society of London, and the Rochester & Chatham Standard; dating from 1894 and 1895.
£95.00

Shrubsole was a frequent contributor to the Manchester Guardian, and its obituary of 21 May 1927 was headed 'DEATH OF GREAT SHEERNESS GEOLOGIST WHO WON FAME THROUGHOUT THE WORLD' ('Experts in every continent sought his wonderful advice, and it was during his researches at Sheppey that he made many valuable discoveries. Below we are able to give a detailed account of his brilliant career. He was a frequent contributor to the columns of the "Guardian" up to the time of his death.'). 3pp., foolscap 8vo, in a bifolium. Printed in three columns of small print.

Autograph Letter Signed and three Autograph Cards Signed from the American geologist Bailey Willis to 'Mr. Anthony', discussing a report following a joint trip, and presenting a pamphlet by which he may approach 'the limits of knowledge'.

Author: 
Bailey Willis (1857-1949), American geological engineer [United States Geological Survey; Mount Rainier]
Publication details: 
Letter dated from Buenos Aires [Argentina]. 19 June 1914. One card dated from the 'Hotel Cecil | Julio 8 - 1914'. The other two cards undated.
£120.00

The four items are in good condition, lightly-aged and with slight creasing to the extremities of the letter. The letter is 1p., foolscap 8vo. Willis writes that he is 'forwarding the report at the earliest moment practicable. If in any respect it should fail to cover the ground agreed upon, I will gladly supplement it to the best of my ability'. He is waiting for Anthony's instructions over his 'reports': 'I understood that you did not wish them sent by mail.' He ends by expressing his 'sincere appreciation of your courtesy during our trip together'.

Autograph Note Signed ('Arch Geikie') from the Scottish geologist Sir Archibald Geikie to 'Dr. Lyndon' [Dr Arnold Lyndon], who has attended on him.

Author: 
Sir Archibald Geikie (1835-1924), Scottish geologist and writer [Dr Arnold Lyndon (1861-1946) of Grayshott, Hindhead, Surrey]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Shepherd's Down, Haslemere, Surrey.
£28.00

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He is enclosing a cheque in payment of Lyndon's fees, 'and with best thanks for your kind attention'.

Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'E P Loftus Brook') from Edgar Philip Loftus Brook, FSA, FRIBA, Hon. Sec. of the British Archaeological Association, to Norwich geologist and antiquary John Gunn, regarding membership and contributions of papers.

Author: 
Edgar Philip Loftus Brook (d.1895), FSA, FRIBA, Hon. Secretary of the British Archaeological Association [Rev. John Gunn (1801-1890), Norwich geologist and antiquary; Walter de Gray Birch (1842-1924)]
Publication details: 
The first from 37 Bedford Place, Russell Square, and the second from 19 Montagu Place, Bedford Square; both on letterheads of the British Archaeological Association. 11 September 1879 and 6 May 1880.
£80.00

Both letters 2pp., 12mo, on bifoliums. Both good, on lightly-aged paper. On both letterheads Brook has cancelled the printed address and the name of the Association's president. ONE: Regarding the renewal of Gunn's membership, 'the guinea entrance fee' being unnecessary in his case. 'I have also noted my enquiry if you will contribute a paper when convenient upon the Saxon works in your district. This will be very acceptable to us.' TWO: He has sent Gunn the proof of his 'interesting little paper with which you favoured us at Caistor'.

Autograph Letter Signed, J. Robertson, vicar, to Ebenezer Foster, banker, Cambridge, chatty about Adam Sedgwick and other aspects of Cambridge intellectual life.

Author: 
J. Robertson [James Robertson, MA, Vicar in Wellingborough, sometime member of the British Association for the Advancement of Science]
ALS, J. Robertson, vicar, to Ebenezer Foster, banker, Cambridge
Publication details: 
Wellingborough, 14 Feb 1834.
£180.00
ALS, J. Robertson, vicar, to Ebenezer Foster, banker, Cambridge

Four pages, 4to, fold marks, closed tear, mainly good. He's taking advantage of a trip by one of his parishioners to deliver a letter thanking in fulsome and inventive terms Mrs Foster for sending Professor Sedgwick's Discourse. He says of it, Of the talent and temper of the orator only one opinion can be formed. For the Studies of the University [A Discourse on the Studies of the University] he is not responsible, but for his representation of them the University owes him thanks.

Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs R<?> Harvey.

Author: 
Robert Harkness (1816-1878), English geologist
Publication details: 
29 January 1869; on letterhead of Queen's College, Cork.
£28.00

12mo, 1 p. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with slight damage to one corner from removal from mounting, small glue stains from which are evident on the reverse. She was prevented from obtaining his autograph 'during the Meeting of the British Association at Norwich', and he is sending it to her now.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Sir Roderick Impey Murchison
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£25.00

British geologist (1792-1871). Paper dimensions approximately 1 1/4 inches by 4 inches, somewhat discoloured by glue from mounting. Reads ' | Rod I Muchison'. Docketed on reverse.

autograph note signed to unnamed female correspondent (wife of Sir Robert Hardy?)

Author: 
Robert Alfred Cloyne Godwin-Austen
Publication details: 
1p, 16mo, on mourning paper, 3 February 1869, Chilworth Manor
£35.00

Victorian geologist (DNB). 'Amongst the many pleasant recollections which the Members of the British Association will retain of their visit to Norwich will be that of their hospitable reception by Sir Robert Harvey. The Lecture over which I had the honor to preside (C.) has to be directly grateful, for we were twice guests at Crown Point.'

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