Showing 56 results

Records of Whiffen and Sons Ltd, founded by Thomas Whiffen (1819-1904), and of predecessor wholesale and manufacturing chemists, 1749-1971.

Notes of lectures given at Naples University, all apparently taken by the same student, c 1750.

Student notes taken from Gabriel François Venel's lectures including on materia medica and chemistry, 1761-1796.

Splendor Solis, alchemical treatises of Solomon Trismosin, adept and teacher of Paracelsus. Including allegorical pictures reproduced from the original paintings on vellum, dated 1582, in the British Museum. With introduction, elucidation of the paintings, aiding the interpretation of their occult meaning, Trismosin's autobiographical account of his travels in search of the Philosopher's Stone, a summary of his alchemical process called 'The Red Lion', and [explanatory notes]. By Julius Kohn. Two typescript copies, one on large 4to. sheets mounted, and prepared for the press, with the Editor's holograph corrections and additions: the other on folio typing-paper. The last illustration (No. 22) has been cut out. There are 21 photographic illustrations, of which Nos. 16, 19-24 have been coloured by hand. The folio set does not include the illustrations, but has the title-page and preliminary matter, which are missing in the 4to. set. The MS. from which this edition is transcribed is B. M. Harley 3469.

Collection of notes, extracts, translations, etc. from alchemical works: including also iatro-chemical receipts, alchemical, chemical, and technical processes, etc.: in French and Latin. Compiled by C. T., M.D. Illustrated with a few small and roughly executed pen-drawings of alchemical apparatus. There are also some grotesque heads and faces. Mainly written in a small and difficult current hand with many contractions. Pp. 260-343 in Vol. I are by another hand. Though mainly consisting of notes and anonymous extracts, processes, etc., the following may be separately mentioned: Vol. I. [Anon.] Traitté de la Grande Oeuvre (pp. 1-62). Basilius Valentinus. Enseignemans des Artifices concernant l'Ouvrage Universel ... et les Conclusions de tous ses escripts (86-113). Helmont (J. B. van). Imago firminti Liquor Alchaest (196-209). [Anon.] Stichiomantia. De li dadi: in Italian (210-213). Bernhardus Trevisanus. Responsio ad Thomam de Bononia: extract: in Latin (224-243) Glaser (C.). Annotations tirées de la Chimie de Glaser (306-322). Vol. II. Philaletha (E.). La confection du Grand Élixir métallique selon la pratique du Philalèthe conforme à celle du Cosmopolite et à la doctrine de Gebir (pp. 200-231). This seems to be a condensed version of the 'Enarratio methodica', 1678 by Eirenaeus Philaletha [cf. Ferguson: 'Bibliotheca Chemica', Vol. II, p. 191]. Copus (Martinus) [pseud. Cephalus (Arioponus)] Apotelesmata philosophica Mercurii triumphantis 1601: extract (358-371) [cf. Ferguson, op. cit., Vol. I, p. 150]. Albertus Magnus, St. Collectiones ex libro de animalibus, etc. (384-388). Densinger (A. B.). Geber ressuscité: an abbreviated version in French of the author's 'Geber redivivus' (394-406) [cf. Ferguson: op. cit., Vol. I, pp. 206, 207]. On p. 349 bis of Vol. II is a magical Hebrew 'Oratio angelica' written in Latin characters, there are other Latin charms, and one in French on p. 349. The compiler's initials are found on p. 178 of Vol. II in the form 'C.T.M.D.', and again on p. 279 of the same volume as 'C.T.d.m.'. There are several dates found in the second volume, the latest is 1683 on p. 26 and again on p. 27.

The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence: the Singers were clearly vigorous letter writers and both Charles and Dorothea had an enormous number of family, friends and acquaintances. Unfortunately many of their letters were hand written and very few carbon copies survive. Very occasionally an attempt at methodical selection and arrangement is evident: on the whole correspondence had been kept in alphabetical order, and this has been retained in the arrangement of the collection. Dorothea and Charles' correspondence was fairly mixed (reflecting their working life together) with the exception of two distinct groups: correspondence about Dorothea's research on alchemical manuscripts, and later correspondence about her hearing aids.

The main part of the collection centres on the correspondence; this has been grouped together in a self-evident sequence: writings and biographical personal papers follow. Certain of Dorothea's papers remained clearly distinct and these have been kept together. Section E contains a variety of material relating to Jewish refugees, which had been placed on one side by Dorothea after the war for permanent preservation. It has not been listed in detail but sorted into three broad categories. The last section, comprising additional correspondence of the Singers with Sir Zachary Cope, Sir Arthur Salusbury MacNalty and Dr F N L Poynter, is not strictly part of the collection, but these groups of correspondence were given to the Institute to be placed alongside the Singer papers.

Johann David Seegar's holograph MSS entitled 'Philosophische und theologische Gedanken von der Entelechie, oder von der bewegenden und herfürbringenden Krafft der Natur und ihrer von dem Schöpfer von Anfang beygelegten Fortpflantzungs-Weise der Menschen und der Thiere und ihrer Seelen'. Of the two volumes, the first contains a copy of the first three chapters, the second 'Beylagen' to the main text.

Cours de Chimie. Rédigé d'après les Leçons de Mr. Rouelle et transcrit en 1762. The half-title of Vol. I is 'Cours de Chimie. 1761'. The second volume is headed: 'Cours de Chymie rédigé d'après les Leçons de Mr. Rouelle, et transcrit en 1762. Commencé le IIe fevrier de cette présente année sur les cahiers de Mr. Vincent de Billi, venus de M. Huet par M. David qui les tenoit de M. Diderot'. At the end of the volume is a note: 'Mr. Rouelle a fini son Cours de Chymie ce 29e mai 1762 ... et il l'a commencé le 16e novembre 1761'. Produced in Paris.

Three notebooks connected to the same Ross-on-Wye medical practice including notebook from William Edward Green’s student days, 1861, containing notes on anatomy and biochemistry, pharmaceutical formulae, notes on childbirth and notes on physiology and chemistry; general notebook of William Edward Green, the cover bearing a faded label reading "Club Prescription: Bate's Charity" and notebook of Walter Holcroft Cam, Arthur Llewellyn Baldwin Green and George Marner Lloyd, recording particular cases and noteworthy items from the medical press, 1932.

Papers of Derek Richter including photocopies of scrapbooks regrading the Neuropsychiatric Research Centre; and a privately published autobiography, (1989). Richter began compiling his albums in 1950. They include photographs of the Research Centre at Cardiff and Carshalton, press cuttings, some correspondence, publications by the Centre and ephemera. The first album includes material relating to the earlier history of the Whitchurch Hospital.

Le Pharmacien accomply. Ou le Cabinet pharmaceutique. Contenant des moyens familières et facilles pour bien connoistre, distinguer et médicamenter les maladies ordinaires et extraordinaires qui peuvent arriver à l'homme, tant par préceptes astrologiques et Galénistes que par remèdes chymiques. Avec l'Antidotaire. Le tout reduict en ordre pour suppléer au véritable Médecin, et mis en pratique par F[rère] Is[aac] Q[uatroux] R[éligieux] M[édecin] or[dre] M[inime]. These MSS., now divided into two volumes, formed originally one volume. There is a pen-drawn historiated frontispiece to the 'Antidotaire': texts within black rules. The Antidotire is dated 1662, the other volume 1663.

Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1809-[1840], including on the growth of plants, polarity theory and the history of physic.

Papers on alchemy by Albert Poisson, including correspondence, translations, essays, notes on chemistry, John Dee, the occult, extracts from books on alchemy, 1885-1904.

Notes on physiology, diseases and their treatment, and chemistry and material medica, [1875-1880].

Letter-books, containing letters on Hugh Pattinson's inventions, industrial chemical processes, his manufacturing and chemical businesses, family affairs, etc, 1828-1856. Carbon copies of holograph MSS. Vol. I. 1 April 1828-5 August, 1830. II. 18 August, 1830-25 July, 1834. III. 19 August, 1834-16 April, 1856. IV. 30 April, 1838-27 October, 1846. V. 29 June, 1845-11 August, 1847. VI. 14 August, 1847-7 July, 1852. Produced in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Two volumes of texts ascribed to Christophorus Parisiensis, late 16th or early 17th century.

Aurore australe de Théophraste A[u]réole Paracelse Archydoxes magiques contenans l'Art de la Chryzopée. Illustrated with a few rough pen-drawings of alchemical apparatus, etc. Written in French, German, and Latin by the same hand throughout, this manuscript contains alchemical, chemical and iatro-chemical receipts and extracts from the works of Paracelsus and his followers. The latest dated receipt, 1748, is found on p. 697 of Vol. I: the 104 ll. at the end of Vol. II contain a copious index.

Essays, 1941-1943, on the following subjects: Medieval Medical and Alchemical Manuscripts and Incunabula; Medicine in Classical Antiquity; Chinese Medicine, Japanese Medicine, The Medicine of the Indians and The Medicine of the Ancient Persians; Medieval Medicine and Surgery and Biographical and historical essays.

Biographical material includes the draft of Mourant's autobiography, Blood and Stones published after his death in 1995, together with the correspondence and papers Mourant assembled while writing it. There is also documentation of Mourant's education at Victoria College Jersey and at Exeter College Oxford. The latter includes notes on lectures 1922 - ca 1926. Documentation of Mourant's career, honours and awards is patchy, although there is material relating to his search for employment in the early 1930s. There are pocket diaries spanning 1915-1982, with a fairly continuous sequence 1922-1961. Biographical material also includes extensive family and personal correspondence, much of which dates from or relates to the German occupation of Jersey or shortly thereafter. Mourant's other documented interests include his membership of the Methodist Church and his political affiliations, the League of Nations Union in particular.

There is a little material relating to Mourant's early career with the Geological Survey 1929-1931, miscellaneous material relating to Mourant's service with the MRC's Blood Group Reference Laboratory at the Lister Institute and the Nuffield (later Anthropological) Blood Group Centre at the Royal Anthropological Institute, London, and more extensive but uneven coverage of the Serological Population Genetics Laboratory. Although there is some documentation of the foundation of the Laboratory 1964-1965 and of its staff, the surviving material consists chiefly of correspondence and papers relating to Mourant's largely successful efforts to find continued funding for the Laboratory 1969-1977. Haematological research material, though not extensive, covers Mourant's work in a number of areas from research on blood serum in the mid-1940s to the mapping of blood groups in the 1960s and 1970s. There are early research notes, correspondence and papers relating to student and other expeditions undertaking blood group and physical anthropology research and some MRC material assembled by Mourant relating to projects in which he had an interest. The largest group of research papers, however, is maps and data produced during preparation of the second edition of The Distribution of the Human Blood Groups. There is a chronological sequence of drafts and correspondence relating to Mourant's publications, 1929-1991, with extensive material relating to editions of The Distribution of the Human Blood Groups and to The Genetics of the Jews (1978). There is also editorial correspondence relating to publishers and journals, chiefly invitations to review books or referee papers and an incomplete set of offprints. There is correspondence and papers relating to some of Mourant's lectures and broadcasts, most notably the lectures on blood groups given at the Collège de France, Toulouse, 1978-1979. Societies and organisations material is not extensive, and is confined to brief documentation of only a few of the societies and organisations with which Mourant was associated. It includes professional and geological bodies as well as haematological, biological and medical organisations. Visits and conferences material covers the period 1960-1987. It is not comprehensive, though there is also considerable documentation of Mourant's visits and conferences in the papers he assembled in the course of preparing his biography and with lectures material. Mourant's correspondence is extensive. Its complexity reflects Mourant's organisation of the material, the bulk of which was found in three main series: 'Foreign 1965-1977', 'Biological' and 'Geological', together with a fragment of a fourth series 'Home 1965-1977'. Principal correspondents include C.C. Blackwell, B. Bonné, O.J. Brendemoen, V.A. Clarke, L.L. Cavalli-Sforza, A. W. Eriksson, T.J. Greenwalt, J.K. Moor-Jankowski, T. Jenkins, W.S. Pollitzer, D.F. Roberts, J. Ruffié, D. Tills and J.S. Weiner.

Papers of Thomas Newborn Robert Morson, (1800-1874), and Thomas Morson and Son Ltd, comprising T N R Morsons's Parisian journal, 1818; personal and professional papers, 1834-1871; personal, family and other correspondence, 1826-1957, including correspondence with Jacob Bell (1810-1859) founder of the Pharmaceutical Society, and Charles Dickens, novelist; legal papers and agreements, 1879-1963; business correspondence and papers, 1866-1970; accounts and other financial records, 1868-1979; recipes, production and sampling records, c 1848-1957; advertising records, 1821-c 1970; sales records, 1887-1955, including an order book containing a record of orders placed by the Secretary of State for India, 1887-1947; company scrapbooks and press cuttings, c 1906-1950; records of premises, c 1870-1965, including a series of photographs by Henri Claudet, of the works at Hornsey Rise; staff records, 1878-1971; historical publications and company history, 1916-1988; portrait photographs, c1850-1938 including T N R Morson and members of his family, and contemporary scientists, authors and others including Thomas Bell FRS, William Thomas Brande, Thomas Graham, Michael Faraday, and Heinrich Rose; other publications, 1751-1957; and the historical research papers of Anthony Morson.

Collections of chemical and alchemical recipes, chiefly translated from Hindi; also one book of notes on farming (MS.3613).

Edward Matthey papers: Notes on lectures and on chemistry generally, 1855-[1860].

Collection of cookery, medical, veterinary, and domestic receipts, 1748. The first volume contains cookery receipts, and is in two parts each with an index. The second volume contains 'Physical receits', 'Cattle receits', and 'Curious receits': each of these has its own index.

The collection comprises correspondence, writings and administrative material relating to the Jenner family, particularly Dr. Edward Jenner (pioneer of smallpox vaccination) and the associated Black and Davies families, 1680-1877.

The material on Edward Jenner includes papers relating to organisations set up in the aftermath of his vaccination discoveries: the National Vaccine Establishment, the Royal Jennerian Society and the London Vaccine Institution.

Alchemical writings by Hollandus and others, early-mid 18th century; item 1: Traité d'ouvrages minéraux, ou de la Pierre des Philosophes. There are some small pen-drawings of alchemical apparatus in some inner margins. Inserted as a frontispiece, is a symbolic [?] sepia drawing of a man rescuing a child from drowning in a lake. This work was first published-in German-in 1600 at Middelburg: no record of a French translation has been traced.

On the first fly-leaf 'Anne Cath. Phelps' [c. 1820?], and on the first leaf 'F. Hearne. Jan'y 7. 1865'; item 2: Testament de Jean Isaac ou opération minérale: traduite du flammand en latin par Jaques de Zomere. With extracts from other writings of Hollandus, and from other alchemical authors. Illustrated with numerous small drawings in pen and ink and wash of alchemical apparatus, some in the margins and others interpolated in the text. Pp 167-173 contain seven water-colour drawings of furnaces, etc, of which some are unfinished or uncoloured. The tract entitled 'Donum Dei' (pp. 457-498) is illustrated with 12 symbolical alchemical vessels in water-colour. The last 9 pp. are by a different and later hand, and the last page is in cypher. Contents: (1) Testament: (pp. 1-306); (2) Miscellaneous alchemical receipts (pp. 307-314); (3) Uguictius[?]. Dialogue touchant la composition de la pierre des philosophes tiré d'un traité de Hugontion de Pise (pp. 314-322); (4) Almasatus. Le philosophe Almazat de la coagulation du mercure (pp. 322-324); (5) Grand ouvrage du Plomb par Jean Isaac (pp. 325-344); (6) Ouvrage manuel d'Isaac pour tirer la quinte essence de fuxxuge[?] (pp. 345-371); (7) [Anon.] Work beginning: 'Le corps humain est d'une nature plus tempérée que tous les autres corps', and ending: 'et travaillés avec bonne espérance' (pp. 371-386); (8) Almasatus. Abbrégé du livre que envoiat Almasatus Mahomette à l'Archevêcque de Saragouse (pp. 386-400); (9) Bernhardus Trevisanus. Practicque du Conte Trévisan (pp. 400-415); (10) Traité véridique de M. le philosophe authentique touchant la composition de la pierre bénite (pp. 415-431); (11) Jean de Tirlemont. De l'abrégé de Jean de Tirlemont, célèbre philosophe. Parabole (pp. 432-435); (12) Fabricius (J.)[?]. Fabrice, Pédagogue de S. A. le Prince de Liège (Joseph Clemens, Elector of Bavaria [1671-1723]) étant à Rome a appris de M. Orbion et l'Ange ce qui suit (pp. 435-450); (13) Oeuvre philosophique particulière par le dissolvant de $h (pp. 451-456); (14) [Dastin (J.)]. Donum Dei. Manuscrit de chimie (pp. 457-498); (15) Quintessence de $h dissolvant universel (pp. 499-513); (16) Descriptions évidentes et fidèles des plus excellens remèdes des minéraux dont les plus habiles physiciens ont coûtume de se servir (pp. 515-577); (17) Rares secrets touchant diverses préparations de minéraux et de métaux (pp. 577-699). See Notes for more information on individual texts.

Papers of Matthew Hay on chemistry, 1882-1884, in particular its application to the life sciences; nitrogen compounds and their use in treating angina pectoris comprise the largest subject. One item (MS.2796) is produced in collaboration with Sir David Orme Masson (1858-1937).

Notebooks of George Harley on coloured test-glasses and invalid cookery, [1860-1885].

Papers and research notes of Alec Haggis relating to medical history. Many relate to Haggis's research into medical licensing in England and Wales prior to the Act of 1858.

Papers of Thomas Graham comprising notes, chiefly on chemistry, and some correspondence, 1821-1868.

'Dictata in Chemiam', notes taken down by George Paterson [1734-1817] of Lectures at Leyden University. Produced in Leyden.

'Recueil de divers secrets rares et éprouvés concernant la Chymie, l'Alchymie, la Médecine, la Philosophie Hermétique, le tout tiré des plus célèbres Médecins et Artistes de l'Europe. Traduit du latin et de l'italien par G.G., Interprète juré des langues orientales', with other extracts and receipts from alchemical and medical authors. The third volume contains 37 full-page symbolic alchemical water-colour drawings with 68 figures (pp. 304-369): there are two symbolic diagrams in red and black on p. 190 and illustrations of alchemical apparatus on pp. 419, 430, 547. These three MSS. have been tentatively dated c 1765, as on the fly-leaf of Vol. II is an inscription: '1762. 16 aout. Tome 2ème'. Below this is the date 1785, but by the script, they seem to have been written consecutively within a few years.

Notes by Charles Friedel on chemistry and chemical substances, probably for lectures given as Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Sorbonne, Paris, after 1884 and miscellaneous papers, including a draft address, and letters and certificates concerning honours conferred on Friedel by the Chemical Society, by Oxford University, and by the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society.

Papers of noted Jungian analyst Michael Fordham, with some papers of his second wife, Frieda Fordham, formerly Hoyle, also an analytical psychotherapist. They include his correspondence with C. G. Jung over a period of several decades and files relating to his work as co-editor of of Jung's published Collected Works, material on the Society of Analytical Psychology (of which Michael Fordham was one of the founders), correspondence with colleagues,and files relating to the infant observation courses at the Tavistock Clinic with which Michael Fordham became involved in later life. There is also a good deal on the evolution of Michael Fordham's ideas, both in his own published and unpublished writings, and in the annotated research material. There is much less surviving material relating to Frieda Fordham's life and career, apart from a substantial amount of correspondence from the years immediately preceding their marriage (PP/FOR/A.3/2), and a few published and unpublished papers (PP/FOR/B.9).

Student notes of lectures delivered by Antoine Fizes in Montpellier.

Notes on Sir Kenelm Digby's experiments, plus copies of deeds relating to property in Alwich Close, London, held by Digby.

Collection of alchemical, chemical, medical and scientific works entitled 'Bibliothek Ernst Darmstaeder; Aeltere Wissenschaften', in typescript, with numerous holograph notes and additions. Inserted are three typescript lists with pencilled valuations, etc. by the Librarian. List A. Books at first missing from the main Collection (5 ff.). B. Books offered in replacement: with pencilled valuations by the Librarian (11 ff.). C. Books from the original Collection found later (1 f.). Checked copy of the original typescript Catalogue, with notes etc. by the Librarian (MS. 2039). Another copy with valuations by the Librarian (MS. 2040). Copy checked against the books received (MS. 2041). Second copy (MS. 2042). Produced in Munich.

Manuscript volume of notes by Edward Low taken from a course of lectures delivered by Willliam Cullen on on the 'Theory and Practice of Chymistry'.

Notes of lectures on chemistry taken by Aimé Marie Gaspard de Clermont-Tonnerre when a student, plus three short pieces on chemistry, 1800-1801.

Letters, reports and miscellaneous documents, mainly by Michel Chevreul, 1812-1881.

Title; "Receuil (sic) d'Oeuvres d'Observations très Curieuses et Utiles dans L'Art de la Chymie." The manuscript belongs to the second half of the eighteenth century, is written throughout in French, and has probably been compiled from the popular books and pamphlets based on the writings of Albertus Magnus and similar authors, of which many were published during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. There are elements influenced by astrology and alchemy.

Alchemical works of Terentius Celestinus, 1648.

Papers of Hugh Charles Herbert Candy, 1906-1931, including notes relating to chemical analyses, a report on the post-mortem examination on Doris Barwood, and notes and correspondence on two cases of poisoning, but largely concerning a suicide in Barking, Essex containing a police statement from the attending G.P., letters from the borough coroner, and records of post-mortem examinations conducted at Severalls Mental Hospital, Colchester and the London Hospital Medical College, Mile End.

'Notes du Cours de chymie de Mr. Bucquet aux Écoles de Médecine en l'année', 1777, on the cover of the first volume a late 18th cent. hand has written below the title: 'Faites par mon malheureux et ingrat enfant qui m'a plongé un poignard dans le sang qui pénétre chaque jour de plus en plus, et qui sans doute aura péri dans la traversée en passant dans les provinces en guerre contre l'Angleterre'. Produced in Paris.

Reports of Thomas Lauder Brunton's lectures on therapeutics and notes from a lecture on chloroform with three fragments of lectures on eye affections, on the effects of alcohol, and the effect of drugs on the brain given at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, 1892-[1895].

Correspondence of William Thomas Brande, 1825-1878, with some letters by his son, William T.C. Brande. Brande's advice on chemistry was sought by many of the correspondents in this small collection. They include Timothy Bramah on experiments relating to minting coin, Samuel Brown (1776-1852) on metal used in lighthouse construction; Frederick Richard Lees (1815-1897) on distillation of alcohol; Thomas William Clinton Murdoch (1809-1891) on fumigating 'coolie labour' aboard ship; and John Morillyon Wilson (1783-1868) on the danger of tobacco smoke to teeth. Other letters refer to publications and Royal Institution matters and Brande's own health.

Notes on Herman Boerhaave's lectures and material extracted from his publications, with some material by others, 18th century.

Lectures on chemistry: three sets of holograph notes of Joseph Black's lectures taken by students at Edinburgh University. Students taking the notes include the future Sir Charles Blagden (1748-1820) (MSS.1219-1227). Produced in Edinburgh.

'Raccolta di varii e veri autori in compendio, di quello ch'è piu nessario [sic] ad havere ampla intelligenza e in Teorica et in Pratica della vera Universal Medicina o d'Elixir Arabico, ma anco del Lapis Philosophorum et altre curiosita'.

Two volumes of notes, on medical and chemical books, and on diseases and their treatment, c 1800-1823.

Notes on nitrogen and on explosives, c 1860-1870.