Science, Medicine and Technology

On the Drawing Office. Received 13th March, 1895; Read 26th March, 1895.

Author: 
Sir Archibald Denny (1860-1936), Scottish shipbuilder who chaired a 1912 British committee to investigate the Titanic sinking [Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland (Incorporated)]
Publication details: 
Offprint 'Reprinted from the Transactions of the Institution.'; Glasgow: Wm. Asher, Central Printing Works, 80 Gordon St. 1895.
£85.00

Thirteen pages, octavo, and fold-out 'PLATE XXI' (eight and a half inches by twenty-two and a half wide), with nine illustrations, headed 'THE DRAWING OFFICE BY MR. ARCHIBALD DENNY.', by Robert Gardner & Co., Engineering Lithographers, Glasgow. Unbound and stapled. Good, on aged and lightly foxed paper. Original pink printed wraps detached, chipped and with minor loss. PRESENTATION COPY, with front wrap (which has minor offsetting in ink) headed in pencil 'With the Authors Compts'. Ownership inscription of 'H. J. Young | Nov: '95' at head of first page.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr. Rackrill'.

Author: 
Storey Wilson, British author
Publication details: 
12 March [no year]; on letterhead 23 Claremont Road, Leamington.
£25.00

Two pages, 12mo. On aged and creased paper. Was 'taken by surprise the other afternoon when you mentioned my book and paid me such a high compliment [...] I cordially appreciate your warm approval of what I have written concerning hospitals, and as you take such a warm interest in health matters I beg to send for your acceptance some other titles of mine on such subjects'.

Special Railway Supplement.

Author: 
The Financial Times [Railway; Railways]
Publication details: 
London; 1 January 1923.
£56.00

Thirty-six broadsheet pages. On aged paper, with chipping to extremities and first and last leaves detached, but with text clear and entire. Articles on 'The Four New Railways', with photographs, by Sir Herbert Walker, Felix J. C. Pole, Arthur Watson and R. L. Wedgwood. Other articles include 'Electrification - The Metropolitan's Experience' by R. H. Selbie, 'Railways - Their Position and Prospects' by Sir Sam Fry, 'Railway Rates under the New Regime' by Sir W. M. Acworth and 'Finance of British Railways' by W. J. Stevens.

Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Henry Trueman Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Frank Clowes (1848-1923), Principal, University College Nottingham, and Professor of Chemistry and Metallurgy
Publication details: 
6 January 1915; on letterhead 'THE GRANGE, | COLLEGE ROAD, | DULWICH.'
£23.00

One page, 12mo. Good. Docketed and bearing the Society's stamp. Concerns 'Sir Alexander Redler's being brought up by Crookes for election to the Athenaeum by the Committee under Rule II [...] you [...] intimated that you knew Redler & that I need not descant on his virtues: he is a most clubbable man & I trust you may be able to support him'.

Certificate in favor of R. Battley | Elected a Fellow 9 Nov 1827', signed by Frost, Yarrell and William Newman

Author: 
Richard Battley (1770-1856), English chemist; William Yarrell (1784-1856), English zoologist; John Frost (1803-40), founder of the Medico-Botanical Society.
Publication details: 
London; 12 October 1827.
£85.00

One page, roughly eleven inches by eight. On aged paper, with fraying to extremites affecting one word of text. 'Richard Battley Esqre. of Fore Street Cripplegate a Gentleman very conversant in several branches of science particularly Vegetable Chemistry and Pharmacy being desirous of becoming a Fellow of the Medico Botanical Society of London | We whose names are hereunto subscribed do recommend him as highly deserving of that honor & likely to pr an useful and valuable member.' Signed 'J Frost', 'Wm. Yarrell' and 'Wm. Newman'.

Typed Letter Signed to the editor of the Journal of the Rontgen Society.

Author: 
Sir Richard Arman Gregory, Professor of Astronomy, Queen's College, London (1864-1952)
Publication details: 
25 July 1918; on letterhead of the British Science Guild (British Scientific Products Exhibition, 1918).
£33.00

Signed 'R. A. Gregory'. One page, folio. Good, with one dogeared corner. Bearing the stamp of the Royal Society of Arts. Circular letter referring to an enclosure (not present) relating to an exhibition which 'will shew that by the combination of science and industry we have done nearly as much in four years of war as the Germans did in the preceding forty. More than 250 manufacturers are sending exhibits, and the Air Ministry will make a large display, as well as the Food Production Department.' Asks for 'a sympathetic editorial note or article'.

Paper entitled 'Refraction-equivalents of organic compounds'.

Author: 
John Hall Gladstone
Publication details: 
Repritned from the Journal of the Chemical Society, July, 1884. Vol. XLV.'
£23.00

English physical chemist (1827-1902), fellow of the Royal Society and father-in-law of the first Labour Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald. Nineteen pages, octavo (paginated 241-59). Unbound. Stitched. Good, though dogeared in one corner and on paper discoloured with age. In worn discoloured, grubby wraps. INSCRIBED at head of first page 'With J H Gladstone's kind regds.' Front wrap stamped 'SOTHERAN. SACKVILLE STREET. LONDON'.

Paper entitled 'Specific Refraction and Dispersion of Isomeric Bodies'.

Author: 
John Hall Gladstone
Publication details: 
Offprint 'From the PHILOSOPHICAL MAGAZINE for January 1881.'
£23.00

English physical chemist (1827-1902), fellow of the Royal Society and father-in-law of the first Labour Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald. Seven pages, octavo (paginated 54-60). INSCRIBED at head of first page 'With J H Gladstone's kind regds.' Unbound. Stitched. Creased and with foxing at head of leaves. In grubby, creased wraps, stamped 'SOTHERAN. SACKVILLE STREET. LONDON'.

Paper entitled 'The optical and chemical properties of caoutchouc'.

Author: 
John Hall Gladstone
Publication details: 
Reprinted from the Journal of the Chemical Society, July, 1888. Vol. LIII.'
£23.00

English physical chemist (1827-1902), fellow of the Royal Society and father-in-law of the first Labour Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald. Ten pages, octavo (paginated 679-88). Unbound. Stitched. Good, though slightly dogeared and on paper discoloured with age. In worn, discoloured wraps, stamped 'SOTHERAN. SACKVILLE STREET. LONDON'. INSCRIBED on front wrap 'With the authors' kind regds.'

Paper entitled 'The Relation between the Refraction of the Elements and their Chemical Equivalents'.

Author: 
John Hall Gladstone
Publication details: 
Offprint 'From the PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY, Vol. 60' [1896].
£23.00

English physical chemist (1827-1902), fellow of the Royal Society and father-in-law of the first Labour Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald. Seven pages, octavo (paginated 140-146). Unbound. Stitched. In original grey printed wraps. With dogeared, worn corners (one missing) and on paper discoloured with age. Wraps worn and grubby and with slight loss at bottom. INSCRIBED on front wrap 'With J H Gladstone's kind regds'. Front wrap stamped 'SOTHERAN. SACKVILLE STREET. LONDON'.

Paper entitled 'The Relation between the Refraction of the Elements and their Chemical Equivalents.'

Author: 
John Hall Gladstone
Publication details: 
Offprint 'From the PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY, Vol. 60' [1896].
£23.00

English physical chemist (1827-1902), fellow of the Royal Society and father-in-law of the first Labour Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald. Seven pages, octavo (paginated 140-146). Unbound. Stitched. In original grey printed wraps. Good on paper discoloured with age and with slight foxing to top of leaves. Wraps worn and grubby and with slight loss and closed tear. INSCRIBED on front wrap 'With J H Gladstone's kind regds'. Front wrap stamped 'SOTHERAN. SACKVILLE STREET. LONDON'.

Three Autograph Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Signed to Kenneth Luckhurst, Secretary, and G. P. Griggs, Assistant Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, together with four unsigned carbons of Typed Letters from them to him.

Author: 
Sir Charles Harvard Gibbs-Smith [AVIATION]
Publication details: 
1949-51; three on letterheads of the Victoria & Albert Museum.
£200.00

Historian of aviation (1909-81) at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. Eight items, various formats. Very good. LETTER ONE (two pages, octavo, 14 January 1949, on V & A letterhead): 'As a very new fellow of the Society I hesitate to burden you with reading the enclosed [an article on 'Father Gusmao: the first practical pioneer in aeronautics', not present], but I thought there might be some chance of its appearing in the Journal. It is too historical for the Roy. Aeronautical Society's Journal and too aeronautical for the others, so I am stuck!

Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed correspondent, with autograph Note Signed to unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
L.C.F. Petit-Radel.
Publication details: 
No place, 16 February 1815 and to Monsieur Lacouriere (pere) . . Chez Monsieur Merlin Librarire, no place or date.
£76.00

French archaeologist (1740-1818). In French. Total two pages, 8vo, one foxed, other stained but text clear and complete. (1815) "Je ne me suis appercu qu'hier soir en [?] moi de la mweprise que j'ai faite en vous [?] brouillons de la note [cy . . . ?] que je vous destinais. / Je vous prie de la substituer a celle que j'avais faire d'abord trop longue ou trop embarrassee de choses inutiles. / Je crois que celle cy [est?] trop longue et meme superflue, au reste ce n'est qu'avec vous que je crois . . . [can't read it] de communications ulterieuses. il me suffisait . . .".

Twenty-one Typed Letters Signed to the Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Captain John Laurence Pritchard [The Royal Aeronautical Society]
Publication details: 
Between 1931 and 1934; all on letterhead of the Royal Aeronautical Society, of which Pritchard was secretary.
£100.00

Novelist and writer on aeronautics (1885-1968). All items one page, quarto. As a whole good, though grubby, but some items with pin holes, closed tears, etc. Most bearing the R.S.A. stamp and some docketed. Three items with enclosures. The items are dry communications relating to the arranging of R.A.S. lectures at the R.S.A.

Autograph Letter Signed to Richard Wilson

Author: 
Henry Cline [J.H. Shorthouse and John Porter].
Publication details: 
Lincolns Inn Fields, 22 Nov. 1821.
£150.00

Surgeon, Astley Cooper's mentor (DNB), author of medical works. Three pages, 8vo, crude repairs to tears on folds, laid down, text clear and complete. He writes, "That disorder in a horse which constitutes a Roarer, is caused by a membranous projection in a part of the wind pipe (technically called the larynx). It is a consequence . . . [he continues ] . . . "A Roarer is not therefore a diseased horse . . . When a horse is in strong action, his breathing becomes proportionatley quickened . . . and thus the roaring noise is produced.

Autograph Letter Signed "D Brewster" to "Dr Bostock", Liverpool, medical writer, etc.

Author: 
Sir David Brewster.
Publication details: 
Edr 13 Hope Street, 25 May 1815.
£150.00

Natural scientist (see DNB). Two pages, 4to, some damage and marking but text clear and complete. "You will have probably seen from the progres of the Encyclopaedia, that we are now approaching very rapidly to the article Galvinism [underlined] which you were so kind as to undertake. We are printing at present the article Fortification . . . & I think we shall require it for press on the Ist of |September." He asks for an estimate of the number of sheets the article will occupy, how many plates or separate figures to illustrate.

Manuscript list of the Governors of Watsons Hospital, Edinburgh.

Author: 
[ John Clerk of Eldin ]
Publication details: 
Dated 1764 (Ist Dec.)
£250.00

Author of "Essay on Naval Tactics", etc (see DNB) influential on Rodney and Nelson. The manuscript, comprising the list of 22 names, double column, and other notes on both sides of a 12mo page, torn on folds but complete, is mounted on a larger page. Notes in another hand say thta it was a "Leaf from a scrap Book in the handwriting of John Clark [sic] of Eldin, father of the late Lord Eldin - 1760 &c. Author of 'Logarithms' and of the plan by which Lord Nelson cut through the combined Fleet at Trafalgar - 21st Oct: 1805."

Autograph Note Signed to [Wilson Lowry], engraver (see DNB).

Author: 
John George Children
Publication details: 
Montagu Place, Russell Square, 4 August 18[22?]
£100.00

Scientist (see DNB). One page, trimmed 4to, laid down on card, some staining, date smudged, but text clear and complete. "I hope the enclosed will be useful to you in finding the vessell you want for your circumnavigation." Perhaps it relates to Lowry's scientific interests.

Two Typed Letters Signed, the first to G. K. Menzies, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, the second to S. Digby, R.S.A.

Author: 
Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti
Publication details: 
12 January 1918, on letterhead 'HOLLINWOOD, | LANCASHIRE'; 23 August 1918, on letterhead 'FERRANTI LIMITED, | ELECTRICAL & GENERAL ENGINEERS, | HOLLINWOOD, | LANCASHIRE.'
£95.00

British scientist (1864-1930); patented the Ferranti alternator, 1882; chief electrician to the London Electric Supply Corporation. Both items one page, quarto. Both very good, though dusty; one with small pinholes in one corner. Both bearing the R.S.A. stamp, and one docketed. ITEM ONE: He has received Menzies letter of 11 January, 'from which I note that you are sending me one dozen copies of Mr.

Six Typed Letters Signed and two Autograph Letters Signed to G. K. Menzies, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Margaret Fishenden (nee White)
Publication details: 
1925-6; all items on embossed government letterheads, from various locations including the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Fuel Research Bord.
£160.00

English scientist (1889-1977), who worked with Rutherford in Manchester. All eight items quarto and very good. Most carrying the Society's stamp and some docketed. All signed 'Margaret Fishenden'. Mostly concerning the delivery and publication of a lecture on 'Domestic Heating'. Letter of 11 January 1926 suggests a number of people who should be invited.

Two Autograph Letters Signed to 'Mr. Perry'[, Secretary?, Royal Society of Arts].

Author: 
Maxwell Ashby Armfield
Publication details: 
22 March and 2 April 1931; the first on letterhead '8 Roland Gardens, London, S.W.7', the second on letterhead of the Greenleaf Theatre
£150.00

British stage designer (died 1971), painter, writer and lecturer. Both items one page, octavo, and very good, though lightly creased. Both signed 'Maxwell Armfield'. LETTER ONE (docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp): He has read the lecture by 'Mr. Davis', 'with great interest [...] our opinions on the subject seem to be identical! I should like to meet him some time if he is an accessible sort of person. [...] a series of such lectures issued as pamphlets with attractive titles would do a great deal towards a better understanding of the problem'.

Two documents signed ("Walckenaer" and "Bn Walckenaer"), one manuscript with printed heading "Prefecture de la Seine" and other detail, the other a printed form with heading Institut de France / Academie Royale des Inscriptions et Belles-lettres".

Author: 
Baron Walckenaer [Charles Athanase Walckenaer]
Publication details: 
{Paris} 1816 and 1846 respectively.
£300.00

Geographer, entomologist, pioneer biographer, etc. ("In 1839 he was appointed conservator for the Department of Maps at the Royal Library in Paris and in 1840 secretary for life in the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres.") Total three pages, folio (2) and 4to (1), some damage, but texts clear and complete. (Ist ITEM, 1816) a "Conseil de Prefecture,Seance du Jeudi 17 Octobre 1816 / Present M. Narchand, Champion & LeConte, membres du Conseil, etc".

Autograph Letter Signed to “Howes”,

Author: 
William O. Priestley.
Publication details: 
04/07/95
£45.00

Physician (1829-1900)(DNB). 2pp., 8vo, , traces of mounting, saying that, with the help of Lord Herschell, they can have their soiree in the Imperial Institute. He was prevented from going to “Huxley’s funeral”.

Autograph letter signed to John Wilson Croker, Secretary to the Admiralty

Author: 
Edward Sabine
Publication details: 
[1825]
£250.00

(1788-1883) Arctic explorer, soldier, astronomer and magnetic surveyor. Three pages, 8vo, good condition, date "1825" written in pencil. Text as follows: "Copies of my book have been ordered by the Board of Longitude to be sent to Members of the Board, and to Institutions, in different parts of the United Kingdom. Perhaps if the eleven copies, addressed as on the following page, are sent to you, you will have teh kindness to frank them to their several destinations. I shall call at the Admiralty myself with this note to spare you the trouble of writing an answer.

The Medical Guide; containing plain and simple directions for the treatment of the more common diseases.

Author: 
An Experienced Physician.
Publication details: 
Glasgow: Printed for the Booksellers, 1850.
£15.00

Disbound, 24 pages, 12mo, partly unopened, sl. damaged but no loss of text. Penny chapbook.

Some Personal Recollections of Sir Ambrose Fleming. The Third Fleming Memorial Leture.

Author: 
A[rthur]. Blok
Publication details: 
Reprinted from the Journal of the Television Society Vol.5 No. 8 [1948].
£28.00

Communications and Television pioneer. Pamphlet, 12pp., 4to, somewhat soiled and chipped, small tear at fold mark. INSCRIBED by the author "With Kind Regards / A.B. [Arthur Blok]".

Autograph Letter Signed to Sir H[enry]. T[rueman]. Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
John Allen Harker
Publication details: 
9 February 1916; The National Physical Laboratory, Teddington (on deleted letterhead of the National Liberal Club).
£28.00

Inventor and engineer (1870-1923), whose papers are held by the Royal Society. During the war Harker was in the Inventions Department of the Ministry of Munitions. One page, 12mo. Good, if slightly grubby. Docketed in pencil and bearing the Society's stamp. Reads 'I send herewith a short contribution to the discussion of Dr Flemings paper at which I was present but in which on account of lack of time I did not feel it desirable to take part verbally.' Signed 'J. A. Harker'.

Typed Letter Signed to G. K. Menzies, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Sir Philip Joseph Hartog [School of Oriental Studies, London Institution]
Publication details: 
18 December 1916; on letterhead of the School of Oriental Studies, London Institute.
£28.00

(1864-1947). Chemist, Director of the International Institute Examinations Enquiry, and first Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka. One page, folio. Very good. Marked 'Personal' and bearing the Society's stamp. He is sorry Menzies has been ill and hopes 'the cure is radical and that you will soon be quite all right again.

Autograph Letter Signed to Thomas Archer. [Humphry Davy].

Author: 
William Thomas Brande
Publication details: 
6 January 1843; Royal Mint.
£150.00

English chemist (1788-1866) who succeeded Sir Humphrey Davy as Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution (1813). Two pages, octavo. Very good, though lightly creased and with remains of previous mount adhering to one edge. Begins 'I have no doubt that much fraud is committed by the substitution of spiritious liquors of different strengths, for what is called woodspirit and wood naphtha'.

Autograph Letter Signed "T.Richardson", to "[J?] Mackay".

Author: 
Thomas Richardson
Publication details: 
Bardnard Castle, 22 Aug. 1855.
£75.00

Industrial chemist (see DNB). Three pages, 8vo, good condition. He discusses a proposal that has been made, one party in which already talks about "staking out". A survey will be required to "ascertain the direction of the Line" and a "Mr Willis" has ben suggested. The choice, however, lies with his correspondent who may have someone else in mind. Willis's current involvement in the project would make him a logical choice. Other names mentioned : Rippin [?], Thomas.

Syndicate content