Microscopy Diaries of John Thomas Quekett (1815-1861), and related effects comprising: 1) Two Letts engagement diaries, 1846 and 1847 (12mo, grey cloth), diary for 1846 with Quekett's autograph entries from 16th March to 13th April only (9 pp.), and on 4 loose leaves at rear (these containing household accounts for July-November; additional leaves evidently removed and cords exposed), 1847 with Quekett's autograph entries throughout (120 pp., with additional notes, mainly household accounts, on approx. 30 pp. at front and rear; one leaf of printed text at front loose); 2) Quekett's household accounts diaries for 1845 and 1849 (both Letts diaries, narrow 8vo, diary for 1845 with his autograph entries on approx. 110 pp., 1849 filled by another hand, probably his wife Isabella ('Ella'), d.1872, approx. 120 pp.); 3) Commonplace book of Eliza Quekett (1812-1875), c.1825-30, approx. 90 ff., calligraphic ownership inscription 'Eliza Quekett' to first page, manuscript quatrain signed 'Eliza' to front free endpaper, containing poetry transcriptions (including Thomas Moore, 'On leaving Langport'), 12 laid-in plant specimens, one botanical watercolour, one pen-and-ink drawing captioned 'Fruit of the Mangosteen produced at Sion house', and mounted silhouettes, contemporary red half roan album, 19.6 x 15.5cm; 4) Portrait miniature of Edwin Quekett (1808-1847), identified in later manuscript note on backboard, 'Edwin Quekett, 24th Sept 1841, by L. M. - miniaturist' (not inspected out of frame); 5) Two portraits of John Thomas Quekett with microscope (possibly not from life; medium unknown)

Note: John Thomas Quekett was an influential histologist and author of A Practical Treatise on the Use of the Microscope (1848), the first work of its kind. 'He was a well-connected man of considerable scientific stature (the prince consort was among those who came to him for instruction). He was working with the microscope during the period in which it was becoming established as a serious scientific tool' (ODNB), and was appointed secretary of the newly founded Microscopical Society in 1841. During the period recorded in these diaries he was demonstrator of minute anatomy at the Hunterian Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons. (The College today holds a selection of his diaries for other years.) They record social engagements, home life and hobbies, the preparation and analysis of histological specimens (including ostrich and cheetah), the writing of research papers and 'my book' (i.e. the Practical Treatise), committee work, and events including the illness and death of his brother Edwin (1808-1847), also a noted microscopist, and a miscarriage suffered by his wife Ella (née Scott, daughter of Robert Scott, East India Company merchant; his deed box sold in these rooms 24th February 2021, lot 243). Eliza Catherine Quekett was the sister of John Thomas Quekett. ‘[She] married the botanist Charles Frederick White. Charles drew mosses and worked with microscopic fungi. Eliza also collected mosses and microscopic fungi. Both husband and wife were members of the Linnean society’ (Ogilvie & Harveys, eds, The Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science: L-Z, p. 1371). She is unmentioned in the outline of J. T. Quekett's family in ODNB. Provenance: By direct descent.