Accession No
6767
Brief Description
3D card models demonstrating crystal structure, with accompanying leaflet, given to Dr. Pamington by Mr. Brighton, designed and drawn by Frank Smithson, published by Thomas Murby and Company, English, 1928
Origin
England
Maker
Smithson, Frank [designer drawer] Thomas Murby and Company [publisher]
Class
demonstration; crystallography
Earliest Date
1928
Latest Date
1928
Inscription Date
Material
paper
Dimensions
(average) models length 55mm, width 25mm, height 25mm
Special Collection
Provenance
Donated by the Zoology Museum, Cambridge in May 2022.
Inscription
Description Notes
3D card models demonstrating crystal structure, with accompanying leaflet, designed and drawn by Frank Smithson, published by Thomas Murray & Co., English, 1928.
A total of 34 3D models made of black cardboard demonstrate crystal structure, including the Cubic, Tetragonal, Hexagonal, Orthorhombic, Monoclinic, and Triclinc System. Each card model is printed with the name and numbers of forms presented. A leaflet entitled "Patterns for the Construction of Crystal models" includes matching labels that could be cut out, and one-page of instruction on how to make the models. One page of index provides the complete list, which includes 36 types minerals. The collection is thus 2 shorts, which are Orthoclase, Carlsbad-Twin and Calcite.
The designer and drawer was Frank Smithson, PhD, F.G.S., and the publisher was Thomas Murby & Co.
References
Events
Description
The page on introduction and instructions for making the models provide some insights into the development of mineralogy, geology, and crystallography during the early 20th century. "...to supplement the series drawn some years ago by the late Mr. J. B. Jordan" refers to Explanatory Remarks on the Construction and Use of a Series of Models illustrating the Simple Forms of Crystallography, a book written by James Brown Jordan in 1865. James Brown Jordan (1838-1915) was a mineralogist and artist with the UK Mining Records Office and Museum of Practical Geology (Stevenson, 2021). Having published multiple books and journals on the geological strata in the UK, he offered records and foci of the studies at that time.
"...the designer has followed Dr. J. W. Evans and Mr. G. M. Davies' 'Crystallography'..." refers to Elementary Crystallography, published in 1924. John William Evans (1857-1930) was a British geologist, though originally trained in law. After receiving the Murchison Medal in 1889, he continued as a lecturer at the Royal College of Science. He joined the 1891-2 Expedition to Brazil, and later went to India, both as a geologist and geographer. He received the Lyell Fund from the Geological Society in 1901 for his geological contribution. George MacDonald Davies, B.Sc, F.G.S, though not much about him is known, has published articles in the Geological Society.
21/11/2022
Created by: Guey-Mei Hsu on 21/11/2022
FM:47570
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