24th Nov, 2022 11:00
Fine Scientific & Medical Instruments and Books
Hooker, The Mosses of Great Britain, Signed Copy
Natural History - Hooker, William Jackson, FRS, ASLS, Taylor, Thomas, MD, MRIA & FLS, title 'Muscologia Britannica; containing the mosses of Great Britain & Ireland Systematically Arranged and Described…' 1st edition, printed 1818, 8vo, 152 pages, 31 plates, with catalogue of other publications at the back, paper covered boards, Presentation Copy from Thomas Taylor, to his friend Dr. Whitley Stokes (1763-1845), an Irish physician, and contains a written dedication from Taylor to Stokes to rear of title page which reads 'To Dr Whitley Stokes with thanks for his instructions and the liberal use of his herbaccia from Thos. Taylor', condition, boards loose, string binding perishedtext block untrimmed, light foxing to plates.
As one of the earliest taxonomic works of the mosses of Great Britain and Ireland, this book holds significant cultural and scientific value. Hooker and Taylor’s efforts build on Johann Hedwig’s theories of the fertilisation and reproduction of mosses. What makes Muscologia Britannica of particular importance is that the text represents the first evidence of consensus among botanists of the era as to the appropriate taxonomic classification of mosses. The work is an incredible undertaking, especially considering the technology of the time, with 31 plates included in the text that illustrate the plants in wonderful detail.
Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) and Thomas Taylor (1786-1848) were both botanists, active just after the turn of the 19th century. Sir William became the first director of Kew Gardens in 1841 after it was placed under state ownership and was responsible for expanding the Gardens significantly. At least 17 plants have been named after him. Taylor was a Professor of Botany and Natural History in the Royal Cork Scientific Institution, and a prolific academic. In addition to the book included in this auction he is known to have written 23 research papers. Sir William named the moss genus Tayloria after him, a genus in the moss family Splachnaceae comprising 45 species across 6 subgenera.
Sold for £125
Result plus buyers premium
Natural History - Hooker, William Jackson, FRS, ASLS, Taylor, Thomas, MD, MRIA & FLS, title 'Muscologia Britannica; containing the mosses of Great Britain & Ireland Systematically Arranged and Described…' 1st edition, printed 1818, 8vo, 152 pages, 31 plates, with catalogue of other publications at the back, paper covered boards, Presentation Copy from Thomas Taylor, to his friend Dr. Whitley Stokes (1763-1845), an Irish physician, and contains a written dedication from Taylor to Stokes to rear of title page which reads 'To Dr Whitley Stokes with thanks for his instructions and the liberal use of his herbaccia from Thos. Taylor', condition, boards loose, string binding perishedtext block untrimmed, light foxing to plates.
As one of the earliest taxonomic works of the mosses of Great Britain and Ireland, this book holds significant cultural and scientific value. Hooker and Taylor’s efforts build on Johann Hedwig’s theories of the fertilisation and reproduction of mosses. What makes Muscologia Britannica of particular importance is that the text represents the first evidence of consensus among botanists of the era as to the appropriate taxonomic classification of mosses. The work is an incredible undertaking, especially considering the technology of the time, with 31 plates included in the text that illustrate the plants in wonderful detail.
Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) and Thomas Taylor (1786-1848) were both botanists, active just after the turn of the 19th century. Sir William became the first director of Kew Gardens in 1841 after it was placed under state ownership and was responsible for expanding the Gardens significantly. At least 17 plants have been named after him. Taylor was a Professor of Botany and Natural History in the Royal Cork Scientific Institution, and a prolific academic. In addition to the book included in this auction he is known to have written 23 research papers. Sir William named the moss genus Tayloria after him, a genus in the moss family Splachnaceae comprising 45 species across 6 subgenera.
Auction: Fine Scientific & Medical Instruments and Books, 24th Nov, 2022
