Glaisher, 1855

GLAISHER, JAMES (1809-1903) [and] GLAISHER, Cecilia Louisa (1828-1892). Snow crystals, observed by James Glaisher, Esq., F.R.S., from February 8th to March 10th, 1855. n.p., 1855.

Possibly unique set of plates illustrating the infinite variety of snowflake formations. The British meteorologist, aeronaut, and astronomer James Glaisher is famous for his career as a pioneering balloonist who made dangerous ascents to remarkable altitudes. In 1865, after many years of membership, Glaisher became the president of the Royal Microscopical Society where he served until 1869. Formerly known as the Microscopical Society of London, the organization held a soirée on April 11th 1855 dubbed “The Wonders of the Microscope,” where Glaisher presented a special exhibition of photographs depicting snow crystals. Preparation for the exhibition began two months prior in collaboration with his wife, Cecilia Louisa Glaisher, a photographer and printer who redrew the observations for publication. During his presidency, the R.M.S was granted a Charter and one of the Glaishers' magnified snowflakes was selected to be the society’s official emblem, remaining so today.

Octavo. Letterpress title and 63 wood-engraved monochrome plates printed in black, blue, brown, green or gray on card stock, loose in a clamshell box with silver gilt snowflake illustration on the front (minor scattered toning and offsetting to plates).