Scientific Instruments, Specimens, Books and Collectables

Ray Society – William Turner – Libellus de Re Herbaria 1538; The Names of Herbes 1548.

William Turner (1508-1568) is regarded as the father of British Botany. He was born at Morpeth, Northumberland, the son of a tanner. He was a super bright lad and went to Cambridge [early days] and worked his way up there before publishing his first book Libellus de Re Herberia – regarded as the first serious compilation of plants with medical properties.

His primary study was in theology and he became a name in the Protestant Church of Henry VIII. Unfortunately, when Mary became Queen he had to bolt to the Continent only to return after her death.

Published by the Ray Society, who do such magnificent important facsimiles. Note there are only five known copies of the first book and one of the second, such was their then circulation and style [quality] of printing and binding. This book, large octavo, 275 pages, jacket near complete, chip to bottom jacket spine. A near very good copy.

There have been two books previously about Turner and his work and publications, both in the 19th C with limited print runs – they themselves scarce. They have useful “best histories” of Turner’s life so that content is reproduced here along with some other useful tabular comparisons from those works – all very informative.

William Turner Botanical First and a very interesting life.

$60.00

Updating cart…

The Prehistory of Australia – D.J. Mulvaney

John Mulvaney (1925-2016) was born and educated in Victoria and went on to study archaeology at Cambridge. On return to Australia, he devoted hid academic career to understanding and recording Aboriginal pre-history.

This is a first edition of his most popular work on the subject published by Thames & Hudson, London in 1969.

Squat quarto, 276 pages, a super near fine copy in a nice dust jacket, top edge stained blue as required of the first printing. Profusely illustrated with maps, technical drawing, and photographic images.

Mulvaney, a wealth of understanding and information

$50.00

Updating cart…

Antique Medical Instruments – Wilbur

Published in 2008 by Schiffer, the pen people, of Atglen, USA. Revised edition with updates by the distinguished Keith Wilbur MD who can trace back his descendants to Rhode Island 1636.

We mention the “pen people” as the book is produced in an unusual cursive font with matching line drawings of instruments.

Quarto, softcover 149 pages, very good condition.

Great content we really rate this as an introduction to the subject and for serious collectors. We also like that it has a very good section on the development of the microscope often omitted. A useful price guide provides some perspective on value.

A list of medical museums in the USA good prove a valuable starting point for a holiday focused on such matters. Plan your next trip.

Wilbur’s Medical Instruments a great place to start … and more

$60.00

Updating cart…

U.F.O – Evaluating the Evidence – Bill Yenne

Who doesn’t like a good U.F.O book?

Published by Saraband, USA in 1997. Largish quarto, 160 pages, with a multitude of UFO images and related … corny UFO designed end paper … we like them. Nibble on dust jacket otherwise very good. A bit too big for economical Overseas postage.

The author is an aviation / space ex buff so the UFO interested is a related spin off [joke intended]. Some really good stuff in here as well as the usual “cover up” … not sure why government is so obsessed with hiding the truth about UFO … they may be friendly ….

UFO explained – lots of them – look up next time you are out!

$35.00

Updating cart…

Atomic Energy for Military Purposes [the “official” book about the making of the first Atomic Bomb] – Henry Smyth – 1945

Full text of the Official Report … subtitled A General Account of the Scientific Research and Technical Development That Went into the Making of Atomic Bombs.

This is the new and enlarged edition, which includes statements by the British and Canadian Governments.

Not everyone’s cup of tea. For scientists particularly physicists and physical chemists a startlingly frank book about the Manhattan Project and what went on about, and into the making of, the first atomic weapon.

Published by the Princeton University Press in 1945, described as a fifth printing. Paper covered octavo, 308 (previously 264) pages, with photographs of the facilities and the first boom. The front covered has been repaired at the hinge, otherwise a pretty good copy.

The back history is well laid out, the fundamental science and the challenges. The simplicity of “critical mass” has always amazed Voyager. But it was the speed that CM is attained that was the key before all sorts of other leakages could take place in that extended micro-second. Typical of what can be achieved during wartime. The management (laboratory) structure … the heads of each, all famous scientists. Voyager hero, British Nobel Prize Winner, James “Neutron” Chadwick spent three years there and is recognised here as making a fundamental contribution.

Oppenheimer is the first name that comes to most. His organisational ability could not be questioned. The speed at which the first device was manufactured after the science was decided upon is nothing mor than remarkable. On the night of the first test they were delayed by a significant lightening storm … Oppenheimer went out into the darkness and at the first sight of stars declared the experiment on …

The First Atomic Bomb – the whole official story – like it or not … it makes interesting scientific and historical reading.

$50.00

Updating cart…

Wai-Wai [Through the Forests North of the Amazon] – Nicholas Guppy.

Important book about the little known Wai-Wai from the border of Gayana and Brazil. Nicholas Guppy was an incredible individual – he died in Bali in his 80’s having gone there to alleviate the effects of hookworm which found their way into his system during these adventures. We strongly recommend reading his obituary in the London Telegraph … too much and too interesting to paraphrase here.

Thick octavo, 374 pages, first edition published by none other than John Murray, London in 1958. Chips to dust jacket as seen in the image but still a very good copy of a must have book.

A useful map near the front provides an overview of the travels first by light aircraft, then foot and canoe over very difficult terrain and waters. Guppy a botanist was sent to secure rare specimens but foremost in his mind was finding the elusive Wai-Wai. The travels were arduous; finding sufficient food along the way was problematic – particularly as the gang of native helpers he used appeared to regard him [his body] as back-up should provisions be depleted! Eventually he meets his Wai-Wai … a most unusual group, completely unaffected by western life. He came to love and admire them – reflected in this book and from what we read his conversation throughout his life.

We wish we could say more and maybe be more precise about this work – it is more than worthy.

Adventurous Guppy meets his Wai-Wai and they get along well.

$50.00

Updating cart…

Ray Society – William Turner – Libellus de Re Herbaria 1538; The Names of Herbes 1548.

The Prehistory of Australia – D.J. Mulvaney

Antique Medical Instruments – Wilbur

U.F.O – Evaluating the Evidence – Bill Yenne

Atomic Energy for Military Purposes [the “official” book about the making of the first Atomic Bomb] – Henry Smyth – 1945

Wai-Wai [Through the Forests North of the Amazon] – Nicholas Guppy.

Product Categories