An Introduction to the Study of Mineralogy or The Student's ...

Hammer

£80

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)

More Information

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 Hereford, however, appears to be
tenuous and the man remains something of an enigma.