Search Results: Science from Christison Rare Books, IOBA SABDA

(Johannesburg: South African Broadcasting Corporation, 1961). 212 x 135 mm; saddle-stitched card wrappers; pp. 23. A little browned; previous owner's hand-stamp to first page. Very good condition. Afrikaans text. "Hierdie brosjure is gebaseer op 'n reeks van vyf praatjies gelewer in Maart en April 1960 op die Afrikaanse Diens van die Suid-Afrikaanse Uitsaaikorporasie." Subjects covered: Op Wetenskaplike en Tegniese Gebied (Dr. P. J. du Toit); Op die Gebied van Landbou (Dr. J. C. Ross); Op Tegniese Gebied (Dr. S. Meiring Naudé); Op Mediese Gebied (Prof. H.W. Snyman); Op die Gebied van Veesiektes (Dr. B.C. Jansen). .

(Pretoria: CSIR, 1990) 0798849398. Presentation bookplate from the CSIR mounted to half-title. 4to; original black boards; pictorial dustwrapper; pictorial endpapers; pp. xii + 352, incl. index; many portraits and other photographs, largely in monochrome, but with some colour. Dustwrapper curled to edges, with old tape marks, very scuffed on lower panel; recent archival tape repairs to reverse side; earlier owner's name signed on front free endpaper. Very good condition. "This story of the first 40 years of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is presented in three parts. The first includes the events leading up to its establishment in 1945 and discusses the need for such a body in South Africa as seen against the background of world events, notably the impact of two world wars and the emergence in other countries of organizations with specific responsibilities for co-ordinating and developing scientific research. It continues as a chronological narrative of events… Read More

(Cape Town: Oxford University Press, 1986) 0195704304. 4to; original blue boards, lettered in gilt on spine; laminated pictorial dustwrapper; pp. ix + (iii) + 220, incl. index; profusely illustrated with diagrams and maps. Dustwrapper very slightly rubbed; earlier owner's name signed on pastedown. Near fine condition. "Although a great deal is known about the extent and the atmospheric modulation of climatic change over long periods and the variability of climates over shorter periods of time in the northern hemisphere, less is known of southern hemisphere conditions, particularly in subtropical regions where the occurrence of droughts is endemic. Subtropical atmospheric circulations provide the coupling between the circulation of tropical and temperate latitudes and control the climatic variability of vast semi-arid areas of the earth affected by the semi-permanent high pressure cells of the general atmospheric circulation. The extent to which southern Africa's predominantly… Read More

(Cape Town: Oxford University Press, 1987) 0195704959. 243 x 183 mm; laminated pictorial wrappers; pp. ix + (iii) + 220, incl. index; profusely illustrated with diagrams and maps. Slightest curl to fore-corners of upper cover; light foxing to edges. Very good condition. "Although a great deal is known about the extent and the atmospheric modulation of climatic change over long periods and the variability of climates over shorter periods of time in the northern hemisphere, less is known of southern hemisphere conditions, particularly in subtropical regions where the occurrence of droughts is endemic. Subtropical atmospheric circulations provide the coupling between the circulation of tropical and temperate latitudes and control the climatic variability of vast semi-arid areas of the earth affected by the semi-permanent high pressure cells of the general atmospheric circulation. The extent to which southern Africa's predominantly subtropical climate has responded differentially to both… Read More

(Gotha: Justus Perthes, 1869). An article in Dr. Augustus Petermann's 'Mittheilungen', issue VI of 1869: the entire issue of the journal is supplied, though Hochstetter's contribution is confined to pp. 222-226, with an accompanying map showing the impact of the tsunami on the entire Pacific between the coast of South America and New Zealand. 278 x 230 mm; printed wrappers; pp. [201-240] + adverts.; 2 maps, in colours - one relating to the tsunami and the other to the German Arctic expedition of 1868. Very good condition. The magnitude 9.0 earthquake offshore of Peru and Chile in August of 1868 caused a devastating tsunami in the Pacific region, bringing destruction and death as far west as New Zealand. The Austrian geologist Ferdinand von Hochstetter, who had visited the region in 1859-60, described the effect of the event throughout the Pacific, and, as illustrated in the accompanying map, charted the progress of the tsunami over the ocean, calculating the wave speed and ocean… Read More

(Johannesburg: Engineering Association / Department of Science & Technology, 2005). Title taken from slipcase. The individual volumes of the three-volume set are entitled: 1) The Hidden Edge: Quest for Progress; 2) The Leading Edge: Dividends of Democracy; 3) The Competitive Edge: Making Innovation Happen. Three 4to volumes, housed in a matching slipcase. Two of the books are hardcovers, with laminated pictorial boards, and corresponding dustwrappers; the third is of limp, laminated pictorial boards. Pagination: 1) pp. 244, incl. index; 2) pp. 256, incl. index; 3) pp. 104, incl. index. All three volumes lavishly illustrated. Short tear to head of spine panel in second volume's dustwrapper, else fine. "The Edge books tell the inspiring story of South Africa's scientific, technological and engineering achievements from the beginning of the last century to date. An award-winning journalist, leading photographers and a renowned designer have teamed up with two of South… Read More

(Pretoria: Briza Publications, 1999) 1875093184. 210 x 148 mm; laminated pictorial wrappers; pp. 193; monochrome illustrations. Fine condition. "Many of South Africa's politicians, sportsmen and women, musicians, actors and actresses, television personalities, businessmen and even criminals, are household names. Very few of our scientists are well-known to the public. This, in spite of the fact that they include some of the most enterprising and dedicated individuals in the country, that their work is often fascinating and exciting, and that it is of enormous benefit to our country and to science in general. As unofficial ambassadors, they travel around the world, making friends for, and generating goodwill towards, South Africa. They do not deserve to be ignored. This book introduces a mere handful of them. What sort of people are they? What are their backgrounds? Were they bright kids? Why are they interested in science? What motivates them? What are their secrets of success?… Read More

(Pretoria: Protea Boekhuis, 2007) 9781869191443. 212 x 138 mm; laminated pictorial wrappers; pp. 310, incl. index; monochrome illustrations. Wrappers ever so slightly rubbed; a touch bowed. Very good. Afrikaans text. "Waarom glo mense dat die sterre en planete se posisies jou toekoms kan bepaal? Of dat gesprekke met dooies moontlik is? En waarom is daar soveel wat waarde heg aan komplotteorieë soos dat die maanlandings kwansuis 'n bedrogspul van die Amerikaanse regering was? Of dat die Hubble-teleskoop se foto's digitaal gemanipuleer sou wees sodat ons nie kan sien dat God in sy hemel sit binne die Groot Newel van Orion nie? … Die vrae stel George Claassen, wetenskap-redakteur van Die Burger tussen 2001 en 2006, in Geloof, bygeloof en ander wensdenkery." .

(Cape Town: The Royal Society of South Africa, 1977). Large 8vo; original blue rexine; pictorial dustwrapper; pp. xii + 516, incl. index; monochrome photographs in text. Dustwrapper rather rubbed and edgeworn; previous owner's name on front free endpaper; slight foxing to endpapers. Very good condition. "This book … records the efforts of workers in many fields who have broadened our knowledge and deepened our understanding of the South African habitat and honours those who in more recent years have laboured towards its conservation and preservation as part of the natural heritage of present and future generations." .

(Cape Town: The Royal Society of South Africa, 1977). Copenhagen bookplate to front pastedown, with gift inscription to him on free endpaper. Large 8vo; original blue rexine; pictorial dustwrapper; pp. xii + 516, incl. index; monochrome photographs in text. Dustwrapper a little rubbed and edgeworn; clipping of book review loosely inserted. Very good condition. "This book … records the efforts of workers in many fields who have broadened our knowledge and deepened our understanding of the South African habitat and honours those who in more recent years have laboured towards its conservation and preservation as part of the natural heritage of present and future generations." .

(London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1895). Patent No. 12,896 of A.D. 1895. Date of Application, 3rd July, 1895 - Accepted, 3rd Aug., 1895. The patentees are "all of Johannesburg, South African Republic, Engineers." 277 x 190 mm; disbound, without wraps.; pp. 2, plus folding diagram. Two ink stamps of "Patent Library, Nottingham". .

(Redhill: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1916). Patent No. 11,335 of A.D. 1915. Date of Application, 5th Aug., 1915 - Accepted, 7th Aug., 1916. The patentee is an "Engineer, of 4, Gordon Terrace, New Doornfontein, Johannesburg, Transvaal Province." 284 x 190 mm; disbound, without wraps.; pp. 4. Ink stamp of "Patent Library, Nottingham" to first page. Very good condition. .

(London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1893). Patent No. 15,859 of A.D. 1892. Date of Application, 3rd Sept., 1892; Complete Specification Left, 5th June, 1893 - Accepted, 15th July, 1893. The patentee is a Coach Builder "of Albyn Villa, Plein Street, Woodstock, near Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope." 279 x 194 mm; disbound, without wraps.; pp. 2, plus folding diagram. Ink stamp of "Patent Library, Nottingham" to first page. Very good condition. .

(London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1896). Patent No. 2909 of A.D. 1895. Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1895; Complete Specification Left, 7th Nov., 1895 - Accepted, 8th Feb., 1896. The patentee is a Manufacturer of the "Cornilia Works, Durban, in the Colony of Natal." 282 x 193 mm; disbound, without wraps.; pp. 3. Ink stamp of "Patent Library, Nottingham" to first page. Very good condition. .

(Cape Town: University of Cape Town Libraries, 1965). 230 x 165 mm; cloth-backed printed card wrappers; pp. (iv) + 41; diagrams; tables. Oceanographic Research Institute hand-stamp and label to upper cover; some light foxing. Very good condition. An uncommon title: OCLC does not find any South African repositories holding this work. A very useful introduction, based on the author's own need to acquire a grasp of the subject: "In August 1964 the author was appointed to a post in which it was necessary to acquire some knowledge of the physical characteristics of the seas surrounding South Africa. The following text is really an arrangement of the notes he wrote ... during the process and presented in case it may be of some help to others." .

(Pretoria: Protea Boekhuis, 2002) 1919825444. 4to; laminated pictorial boards; decorative endpapers; pp. xi + (iii) + 353, incl. index; graphically illustrated with diagrams and photographs. Deletion fluid over earlier owner's penned name on half-title; slightest bump to top fore-corner of initial leaves. Near fine condition. Afrikaans text. "Die publikasie van hierdie boek vul 'n groot leemte in die Afrikaanse boekewêreld. Dit is tans die enigste Afrikaanse sterrekundeboek en ook die mees omvangryke werk wat ooit in Afrikaans oor die sterrekunde gepubliseer is. Dit is aanvanklik deur die skrywer self uitgegee en was 'n buitengewoon suksesvolle boek waarvan duisende eksemplare verkoop is. Internasionaal was die aanvraag so groot dat dit deur Springer Verlag as 'Unveiling the Universe' uitgegee is. Die Engelse uitgawe word steeds internasionaal erken as een van die gesaghebbendste werke op dié gebied. Sedertdien was daar heelwat nuwe ontdekkings in die… Read More

(Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball, 1996) 1868420345. 8vo; original black boards; laminated pictorial dustwrapper; pp. (xxii) + 204, incl. index; plates, some of which in full colour; monochrome illustrations in text. Tiny scuff to top edge of dustwrapper's upper panel; bottom fore-corners slightly bumped; old pencilled pricing and date, although erased, still evident on front free endpaper. Very good condition. "Passage to Progress was written to commemorate the CSIR's fiftieth anniversary celebrated in October 1995. The book takes a brief look at the dawn of technology in Africa, its subsequent progress, and the CSIR's role in its development. The main focus is on the past 15 years, with an in-depth look at the transformation processes embarked upon within the CSIR; the learning experience associated with radical change; the effects of this change in policy in terms of the organisation and its people, and the way the CSIR is fulfilling its role in a rapidly changing environment, both… Read More

(Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1994). Dustwrapper, pp. xi + 315, diagrams and other illustrations. 'In 1966, it was an amusing idea. In September 1985, it was a ball of paper and sticky tape, the result of six days of intense scientific discussion and one moment of inspiration. Five years later it was finally real: a perfectly symmetrical soccer-ball shaped molecule composed of 60 carbon atoms and called buckminsterfullerene. ... Carbon will never be the same again.' .

(London: Published for the Royal Society and sold by the Cambridge University Press, 1909). 4to; brown cloth-backed boards; lettered in gilt on spine; pp. ix + (i) + 235, incl. index; eight large folding charts, but lacking the general map (chart IX); several maps and tables. Cover rather worn; lower joint fractured; corners turned; hand-stamp of Radcliffe Observatory to flyleaf; some cloth tape reinforcing to folds of charts; light browning to edges of leaves. Fair externally; good condition overall. Sir John Carruthers Beattie (1866-1946) was a physicist specialising in earth magnetism. "His main field was the south to north magnetic survey of Africa, in which he worked closely with a fellow-Scot, Professor J.T. Morrison of the Victoria College, later the University of Stellenbosch. Their work for the survey in South Africa between 1898 and 1906 was published under Beattie's name as Report of a magnetic survey of South Africa." - DSAB IV, p. 24 .

(Cape Town, Balkema, 1956). Pictorial dustwrapper, very lightly scuffed, original cloth, pp. viii + 214, illustrations, maps, plates. Endpapers browned. .