The True Atomic Weights of the Chemical Elements and the Unity of Matter

HINRICHS, Gustavus Detled

Published by Carl Gustav Hinrichs, Publisher, St. Louis, 1894

About this Item

8vo. Khaki green blind-embossed cloth over bevelled boards with gilt spine lettering. xiv, (2pp), 255pp, (1p). Numerous tables and charts (some foldouts). Near fine. Tight and bright, with spine lightly shellacked and hand-lettered paper shelf label near foot; publisher's 1p leaflet advertising this book tipped to rear pastedown, per usual. Handsome, sharp first edition of the further notions on periodic elements of this German-American chemist and natural philosopher (1836-1923) who in 1867 first postulated his ideas on the periodic elements -- though the periodic table of elements is generally credited to the later discoveries of Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev and German chemist Lothar Meyer. Hinrichs boldly inscribes and signs the inner flyleaf in black ink to "Senator Wm B. Allison / with kindly greetings / and sincere thanks / from the author." Hinrichs lived and worked for years in Iowa, teaching at the University of Iowa before leaving in 1886 for St. Louis University, and it was likely during those years he befriended the Iowa Congressman. Though spine label clearly notes "VOL. I" in gilt and in his introduction Hinrichs refers to "this first volume of my Elements of Atom-Mechanics," a second volume never appeared. From the library of William B. Allison (1829-1908), the powerful Iowa Republican who, as U.S. senator from that state (1873-1908), was one of the "big four" who controlled the Senate; as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee for most of those years, he championed tariff legislation and co-authored the Bland-Allison Act of 1878; as member of the Senate Finance Committee he was often courted by U.S. presidents to hold cabinet positions. Early 20th century bookplate on front pastedown notes "This book is part of Allison Memorial Collection Gift of Mrs. Jennie A. Brayton" and until deaccessioned was part of Allison's non-circulating collection at his hometown public library across the street from his Dubuque residence. According to Leland L. Sage in his 1956 biography "William Boyd Allison: A Study in Practical Politics," Allison owned "hundreds of books on government, economics, history, banking, finance, and the tariff [as well as] volumes of American and English literature. An omnivorous reader, Allison doubtless read most of these volumes, if only for relaxation from the strain that accompanied his efforts to solve the many problems facing the Nation.".

Seller Inventory # 49765

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The True Atomic Weights of the Chemical Elements and the Unity of Matter
• Publisher: Carl Gustav Hinrichs, Publisher, St. Louis
• Publication Date: 1894
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Science
  • Books