Smithsonian Science Series / 12 volumes / Roosevelt limited edition 1934

Description: Smithsonian Scientific Series, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Edition. Published by the Smithsonian Institution Series, 1934, New York, NY. Extensively illustrated with diagrams, b&w photos, and color plates. White leatherette binding with elaborate gilt embellishmentsLimited to 1000 copies, this is #79, signed by the Honorable Charles Cleary Abbot. CONDITION NOTES: Boards lightly smudged, front and spine gilt designs bright. Light to moderate wear to corners and spine ends. Pages, endpapers, and plates clean and unmarked. No foxing to pages or text block edges. Typically several pages are uncut in each volume. BIndings firm and square. Good quality paper and printing, and has been well-kept. Individual volume notes:v1: 2cm closed tear to spine top.v3: Volume 3 has old water damage and rippling to lower margin of first ~65 pages, not affecting text or plates.v9 1cm tear to spine top has been poorly repaired with scotch tapev10 Light finger smudging to outer edge of front matter. Foldout diagram of Earth's Crust VG.v12 small (5mm) wear spots to spine ends, plate on p. 201 has old yellowed tape repair to 4cm closed tear to top edgeLight to moderate wear to spine tops, light chipping to spine tops of ~five volumes. Vol. 1: Smithsonian InstitutionVol. 2: The Sun and the Welfare of ManVol. 3: Minerals from Earth and SkyVol. 4: North American IndiansVol. 5: Insects, their Ways and MeansVol. 6: Wild Animals In and Out of the ZooVol. 7: Man from the Farthest PastVol. 8: Cold Blooded VertebratesVol. 9: Warm-blooded VertebratesVol. 10: Shelled invertebratesVol. 11: Old and New Plant LoreVol. 12: Great Inventions The Smithsonian Institution initiated publication of the Smithsonian Scientific Series, a twelve volume set on the history and activities of the Smithsonian Institution. The purpose of the Series was to increase the unrestricted endowment of the Smithsonian Institution; to help publicize the Smithsonian and its various programs; and to promote the diffusion of knowledge. Originally conceived in 1924 by Smithsonian Secretary Charles Doolittle Walcott, the Series was published between 1929 and 1949 during the tenures of Secretaries Charles Greeley Abbot and Alexander Wetmore. Two editions of the Series were published. The first, called the James Smithson Memorial Edition, consisted of twelve volumes which were sold for $500. This edition was a deluxe set limited to 875 copies and quickly sold out. As a result of that success, a common edition known as the Patrons Edition, was also published, consisting of twelve volumes and selling for $100. The difference in the Memorial and Patrons Editions were apparently not in the textual content, but rather in the quality of the printing and binding. The contents of the volumes were either historical or descriptive, providing an overview of the Smithsonian's programs since its founding. The Series was sold by agents who were sent out into the field to obtain subscriptions. A Study Guide in General Science and Biology for the Smithsonian Scientific Series was also published in 1936 to facilitate the use of the Series in the classroom. The Smithsonian Scientific Series was published until 1949. Do you enjoy bibliographic detective work? So prestigious was this Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Edition, that all purchasers of the set had their names inscribed in the Library of Congress. Who did this volume belong to? We do not know, but the purchaser might find this an interesting hunt in the provenance and ownership of this unique cyclopedia. L/lr

Price: 154 USD

Location: San Diego, California

End Time: 2024-08-25T02:31:58.000Z

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