Beschreibung:

An Introduction to the Study of Mineralogy or The Student's Pocket Companion, J.R. Bakewell F.G.S C.E. Pub. Sherwood, Gilbert & Piper 1829. Octavo. First edition. 120pp including index. errata slip. 8pp publisher's catalogue dated 'November 1829'. 2 hand-coloured plates as called for, the first serving as a frontispiece and showing a view at Cap D'Or, Nova Scotia (source of the purest copper) and the transverse section of a copper mine. A second, hand-coloured plate to the rear shows a longitudinal section of a copper mine. Original paper- covered boards, spine perished but boards still attached, though slack. Manuscript notes to front and endpapers and a couple of fragments of recipes tipped in. Internally showing occasional spots of foxing and grubbiness. The book is usually attributed to the geologist, Robert Bakewell, [1768-1843], who also, confusingly wrote 'An Introduction to Mineralogy' in 1819, a more substantial work. However, Robert Bakewell was never a member of the Geological Society and so would not have been styled 'F.G.S.' on the title page. His son, J R Bakewell [1790-1875]was a member. 6 UK libraries hold copies. Rare. With A Geological Section shewing the Order of Superposition and Approximate Maximum Thickness of Sedimentary Strata in the British Islands, by James B. Jordan, pub Edward Stanford 1879. Quarto. Paper wrappers with cloth spine. Large, coloured fold-out in six sections measuring approximately 100 cm unfolded. The sections are each strengthened verso with linen tape. Previous ownership name 'G[eorge] West' to front cover and inside. Occasional, small annotations, presumably in West's hand. Paper wrappers with mild grubbiness. Overall good condition for such an ephemeral item. Rare. With Geology of Weymouth, Robert Damon, New edition 1884. Folding map frontispiece. The rear hinge is cracked, and the board is loose. (3)
The following lots of books represent the library of George West. West's biographical details are hard to pin down, his date of birth unknown, (probably around the 1880's) and his death sometime after 1945. He is known to have worked as an assistant and then lecturer in Botany at the University of Dundee from 1906. At that time the university was a constituent college of St Andrews University. West seems to have remained there until around 1926. In his publication 'Practical Principles of Plain Photo Micrography' (1916) he describes himself as a lecturer in Botany. Most of the books in the sale bear the handstamp, 'George West' to the front pastedowns. Many volumes bear extracts from booksellers' catalogues with prices of the titles, suggesting that West liked to keep up with the current values of his library. The books represent a working library and many are also annotated in pencil in his hand, cross-referencing other works and adding his comments. To the front of the first volume of Walker's Diptera (see lot no.) he has inserted his handwritten poem, 'To the Future Owners of this book'. Geordie has now turned up his toes And gone aloft to seek repose From various varmints nips and stings, Especially those base mankind brings... ..... ...He trusts the child who gets this book Will on the various notes just look And feel that every pencil stroke Helps on the game dear Walker wrote... Although a botanist by profession, his main interest, judging by his library appears to have been entomology and amongst the books are some rare titles in that field many dating from the nineteenth century, a golden age for the natural sciences. Many of the giants in the field of Entomology are represented in the books and there are good sets of Curtis, Donovan and Stephens with many exquisite, hand- coloured illustrations. Geology was another of his interests, as well as microscopy. What little is known of George West is largely gleaned from a publication from Hereford Museum published in 2007. West had donated a large collection of mineralogical specimens to the Museum in 1945. His connection with H