OBSERVATORY

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[Offprint, inscribed to Mary Proctor, containing autograph note.] Detection of Venus' Rotation Period and of the Fundamental Physical Features of the Planet's Surface.

Author: 
Percival Lowell [Percival Lawrence Lowell (1855-1916), American astronomer] [Mary Proctor (1862-1957), American astronomer]
Publication details: 
'Reprint from Popular Astronomy'. 'Lowell Observatory, November, 1896.'
£450.00

5pp., 8vo, with five plates. Stitched. In brown printed wraps headed 'Compliments of the Author', with 'Reprint from Popular Astronomy' at foot. Heavily aged, in worn and stained wraps repaired with tape. At the head of the cover Lowell has written 'iss Mary E. Proctor'. Manuscript note in another hand (presumably Procter's) on cover: 'Contains a note in Lowell's own handwriting on page 2'. Lowell's autograph note on p.2, with slight loss due to trimming of the edges of the pamphlet, reads: 'For further story by me see Jan. '97 pular stronomy'.

[Count von Brühl and Duke of Marlborough.] Autograph Letter Signed from Marlborough and Autograph Notes by von Brühl, about the 'Difference of Level between a Blenheim Barometer in the Duke of Marlborough's dressing Room, & the Harefield Barometer'.

Author: 
Hans Moritz von Brühl (1736-1809) [John Maurice, Count of Brühl], German diplomat and astronomer; George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739-1817), FRS, English nobleman and amateur astronomer
Publication details: 
Marlborough's letter from Blenheim [Woodstock, Oxfordshire], 9 November 1796. [von Brühl's notes from Harefield, circa 1796?]
£850.00

A Fellow of the Royal Society, Marlborough's main scientific interest was astronomy, a subject on which he corresponded with von Brühl. The four items in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. They are accompanied by a typewritten (1960s?) report (3pp., folio), whose purpose is to disprove any connection between them and 'the name of Henry Cavendish and his work on the barometer'.

[Yerkes Observatory, Wisconsin.] Original group photograph, including the astronomers Alice Hall Farnsworth, Otto Struve and Nicholas Bobrovnikoff, and staff including 'computers'. With caption by the astronomer Mary Proctor.

Author: 
[Yerkes Observatory, Wisconsin; Mary Proctor (1862-1957), Anglo-American astronomer; Alice Hall Farnsworth (1893-1960); Otto Struve (1897-1963); Nicholas Theodore Bobrovnikoff (1896-1988)
Publication details: 
[Yerkes Observatory, Williams Bay, Wisconsin.] Dated 10 December 1925.
£220.00

6 x 8 cm black and white photograph. In fair condition, lightly faded, with crease to one corner. Proctor's caption, in pencil on the reverse, reads; 'A group at Yerkes Obsy, Dec. 10, 1925. | Left to right | Otto Struve (Dr.) | N. T. Bobrovnikoff (student) | E. Zabler (janitor) | Mis Elizabeth Struve (Computer) | Alice Farnsworth (Dr); Margrethe Jorgensen (Computer) | Mrs. Sullivan (asst. in photo. dept.) | Mrs. Lee (Office Secretary) | Lela Cable (Computer) | This photo was made on a day when Messrs.

The Royal Society. Sir William Huggins, K.C.B., O.M., D.C.L., President. Conversazione. June 19th, 1903.

Author: 
[Sir William Huggins, President of the Royal Society; Conversazione, 1903]
Publication details: 
[1903.] Burlington House. [Harrison & Sons, Printers in Ordinary to His Majesty, St. Martin's Lane.]
£75.00

8vo, 24 pp. Stitched as issued. Well printed on good laid paper. Creased and aged. A programme, describing, often in detail, the forty-six exhibits, in the various rooms, from 'Photographs illustrative of the Coronation Naval Review, 1902' by Dr W. J. S. Lockyer, to 'Examples illustrating the Scientific and Educational Applications of the Bioscope.' Exhibitors include Sir Oliver Lodge, Sir William Crookes, Rutherford and Soddy ('The condensation of the radio-active emanations of radium and thorium by liquid air.') and the Solar Physics Observatory, South Kensington.

Collection of six items, including publicity material, invoice and receipt, some relating to an order for a house in East Sheen, Surrey.

Author: 
J. W. Gray & Son, Limited. 'Lightning Conductor Experts. Electrical Engineers. Steeplejacks. Chimney Shaft Builders & Repairers. Church Steeple Restorers. Flagstaff Makers & Erectors.'
Publication details: 
1930
£85.00

The collection of six items, with an envelope, is in good condition. An interesting sidelight into 1930s business practice, and an insight into an unusual business concern. First, copy of letter, 14 November 1930 (4to: 1 p), to the firm from Percy L. Young of Messrs H. Young & Co. Constructional Engineers, confirming a verbal order 'for the installation and supply of lightning conductors' to 2 Orchard Rise, Sheen Common Drive, East Sheen.

Three Autograph Letters Signed (all three 'Norman Lockyer') to 'Farquhar'.

Author: 
Sir Joseph Norman Lockyer (1836-1920), English scientist and astronomer, co-discoverer of helium gas [Norman Lockyer Observatory; Harrogate]
Publication details: 
9, 11 and 19 August 1900; first letter from 16 Penywern Road, London SW; second on letterhead of the Solar Physics Observatory, South Kensington, London; third on letterhead of Marine House, Whitley, R.S.O., Northumberland.
£85.00

The first and second letters are both 12mo, 2 pp; the third is 12mo, 1 p. The first and third are good, on lightly aged paper; the second has some smoke staining to top and bottom outside corners. All text clear and entire. The letters concern Farquhar's efforts, as a 'friendly service' on Lockyer's behalf, to get a room in Harrogate. References to the Majestic and Prince of Wales hotels, and to 'Oliver' (perhaps J. A. W. Oliver?).

Autograph Note Signed ('Norman Lockyer') to 'Mr Boys'.

Author: 
Sir Joseph Norman Lockyer (1836-1920), English scientist and astronomer, co-discoverer of helium gas [Norman Lockyer Observatory]
Publication details: 
21 November [no year]; on letterhead of the Solar Physics Observatory, South Kensington, London.
£23.00

12mo, 1 p. Good, on aged paper with a couple of small stains to the left of the signature. Accepting a dinner invitation.

Autograph Signature ('James Glaisher').

Author: 
James Glaisher (1809-1903), English astronomer and meteorologist
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£23.00

12mo: 1 p. On first leaf of a bifolium. Very good. Clearly responding to a request for an autograph. Reads 'faithfully yours | [signed] James Glaisher'.

Two Autograph Letters Signed, the first to the Stockton & Darlington Railway Company, and the second to Thomas Mackay.

Author: 
Joseph Gurney Barclay (1816-98), Victorian astronomer [Stockton & Darlington Railway Company]
Publication details: 
The first, Leyton, 27 April 1857; the second, London, 28 April 1857.
£120.00

LETTER ONE: One page, 12mo. Good, with several creases from folding. Concerns the repayment of a bond of £2500. 'I shall be glad to receive the money for it through Messrs Barclay & Co who will present the Bond duly receipted on your informing them where the Bond will be paid off.' Signed 'J Gurney Barclay'. Docketed on reverse 'Jos: G Barclay | Bond 58/107 £2500 | to be paid off | June 30: 1857'. LETTER TWO: Two pages, quarto. Good, though creased and with small closed tear repaired with archival tape. A few small pin holes in one corner. 'Referring to your Letter of the 24th. inst.

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