Catalogue de la Collection Mercator: Instruments de Mathématiques Anciennes

Gertrude Hamilton; Mercator

Published by Mercator [c. 1928], Paris, 1928

About this Item

[ii], 39, [1] pp., illustrated with 8 plates, 8vo, stapled wrappers. The very rare catalogue of early historical scientific instruments (e.g., compasses, astrolabes, dials) offered by Mercator, the firm owned and operated by American Gertrude Hamilton from her shop in Paris. The catalogue, the only one ever published by Hamilton, lists an astounding 167 instruments. Unpriced, but laid in is a typed note advising that prices will be provided on request ("Les prix en seront donné sur demande.") Also loosely laid in (as issued) are eight plates containing 23 photographs of 20 items from the catalogue. The catalogue proper is followed by a list of the most well-known inventors. This is one of, if not the earliest dealer catalogues devoted to scientific instruments, and must certainly be the earliest by a woman dealer anywhere. Hamilton, whose related interests started with her extensive collecting of early maps and atlases, began to trade in scientific instruments circa 1922; she established an open shop in the 8th arrondissement in 1925 that she closed in about 1935. One of only 300 copies printed, this being no. 95. See Willem F. J. Mörzer Bruyns and Anthony Turner, "Gertrude Hamilton, an American Instrument-Dealer in Paris," in Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society, No. 73 (June 2002), pp. 23-6. A very good copy; text pages fine, some foxing to the plates and minor spotting on the cover, overlapped wrapper edges show some wear.

Seller Inventory # 2912

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Catalogue de la Collection Mercator: Instruments de Mathématiques Anciennes
• Publisher: Mercator [c. 1928], Paris
• Publication Date: 1928
• Binding: Softcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Bookseller catalogues