Scientific Instruments, Specimens, Books and Collectables

The Total Solar Eclipse of May 1900 – Walter Maunder FRAS

A series of expeditions was organised by the British Astronomical Society to observe the total solar eclipse of 28th May 1900. This book printed by the “Knowledge” Office, London was published the following year.

It is a remarkable record of a substantial effort in logistics for such a momentary event. The best position forecast by the Smithsonian Institute was expected to be Wadensborough, North Carilona. The British attended but also went to Portugal, Mid-Spain, Manzandes, Elche and Algiers. The photography of the “set-ups” at each location are a treasure … and it is good to see lady scientists in all their finery and the odd social event. The scientific content is immeasurable and the photographs of corona etc at various locations comprehensive and priceless.

As well as corona we have … dark markings, coronal extensions, the shadow bands, Baily’s Beads … and a good summary of results. The highlight for Voyager is the period images of the astronomers going about their business.

The 1900 eclipse was part of the Saros cycle which repeats itself every 18 years and 11 days but with a limit, a total of 71 events, from 1179 to the final one in 2044 … so not long to go.

Unique work and more than you would expect for such a brief event … special

$90.00

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A Treatise on the Differential Calculus – William Walton – 1845 – Viscount Cross to be Home Secretary’s Copy

An advanced work published in 1845 by Deightons, Cambridge. The author was a Fellow of Trinity College. Original blind stamped cloth binding.

A very good copy with the normal progression … Fundamental Principles; Successive Differentiation; Elimination of Constant Functions; Evaluation of Indeterminate Functions; Maxima and Minima; Tangency; Asymptotes; Multiple Point, Conjugates, Cusps etc; Concavity and Convexity of Curves and Points of Inflexion … Centre of Curvature etc; Theory of Evolutes and Involutes; envelops; Polar Co-ordinates etc.

Distinguished First Owner Viscount R.A. Cross

Carries the bookplate and Signature, College and Ownership Date of Richard Asshetn Cross (1823-1914). Cross also went to Trinity and was then called to the Bar, Inner temple in 1849. He entered Parliament first in 1857 and then a second stint in 1868. He was elevated to the peerage, Viscount Cross of Broughton-in-Furness, in 1886. He was Home Secretary under Disraeli and also under Lord Salisbury. For a time, he was in the India Office and in eventually given the sinecure post Lord Privy Seal

$120.00

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The Antiquity of Man – Arthur Keith – 2 Volumes (Piltdown Man)

1928 edition by Sir Arthur Keith’s first published 1925 as a single volume. Reviewed and enhanced.

A famous work in that it includes several chapters on the greatest scientific hoax ever … The Piltdown Man … there should be a BBC mini-series on this crime. Charles Dawson discovered the skull fragments that were to provide the “missing link” between apes and man. He was then assisted by the distinguished Dr Smith Woodward. In this book Keith is not sure at all and his chapter headed “The difficulties of reconstruction” alludes to error and alternative interpretations and perhaps even the reality. The reality was exposed in1953 when the bones were found to have consisted of the mandible and some teeth of an orangutan combined with the cranium of a small brained modern human. Grafton Elliot Smith a fellow anthropologist sided with Dawson and Woodward at the Royal Society claiming that Keith’s views were motivated by ambition. Keith later recalled “Such was the end of our long friendship”.

Whilst Piltdown makes the book special there are other excellent anthropological finds well written up, not the least being the Pleistocene skull found at Talgai (near Warwick Queensland) in 1884 but brought out of a cupboard in 1914 and properly categorised by Sir T.W. Edgeworth David …. Robert Etheridge also had a hand.

Much could be said about the author Sir Arthur Keith whose interest in the origins of man stemmed from being put in charge of the Museum of the Royal Society of Surgeons at an early age.

We have included an image of the painting of key players investigating the skull of Piltdown Man … Arthur Keith is seated in the middle with Dawson and Smith Woodward standing behind him to the right …. note a painting of Charles Darwin on the wall behind the group.

Early Man and Piltdown examined but not exposed

$90.00

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Fine Binding – Magnetism – Sir W Snow Harris -1850

Rudimentary Magnetism: being a Concise Exposition of the General Principles of Magnetical Science and the Purpose to which it has been Applied.

Published by John Weale, London in 1850-52. Three parts in two (as issued) 159, 186 and 152 with all preliminaries bound finely in full calf, spine richly gilt with raised bands and black title label.

A very good copy of an important mid-19th Century work on electricity and magnetism. A good gift for a worthy scientific mind.

Finely bound 19th Century Scientific Work

$120.00

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Exquisite Fungi Model – Boletus Pinophilus

French (who else) model of the edible fungi Boletus Pinophilus. Made likely just after WWII and still in near perfect condition. Stands 17 cms tall and is made to a high standard. Commonly known as the Pine Bolete or Pinewood King Bolete this beauty is regarded as a form of porcini.

Quite common in Europe in pine forests – including Scotland and the South of France where it seems to be more prolific. The flesh is white, soft and does not change colour when bruised. The taste is pleasant and has been likened to pork and pork crackling (yummy).

Collectable Fungi for those that understand and desire them. Click on me to see my proud fungusness!

$290.00

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The Monitory Lizard – Shaw and Nodder – 1790

The Monitory or Black Lizard first described with this image by Shaw. The name “Monitor” came from a belief that in the vicinity of a Crocodile this lizard would produce a high shrill cry which would provide a warning that Crocodiles are about. Seemingly, not to be relied upon.

Copper engraved and hand coloured by Shaw & Nodder and published in London in 1790 (dated in the plate). Shaw was in charge of the Natural History Department at the British Museum. Frederick Nodder was a natural history artist and worked for Banks on his Florilegium.

$190.00 framed in Voyager Natural History Style or $90.00 unframed

Click on me to see me all!

$90.00

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The Total Solar Eclipse of May 1900 – Walter Maunder FRAS

A Treatise on the Differential Calculus – William Walton – 1845 – Viscount Cross to be Home Secretary’s Copy

The Antiquity of Man – Arthur Keith – 2 Volumes (Piltdown Man)

Fine Binding – Magnetism – Sir W Snow Harris -1850

Exquisite Fungi Model – Boletus Pinophilus

The Monitory Lizard – Shaw and Nodder – 1790

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