DEWAR, Sir James (1842-1923). Scientist. The inventor of cordite.
Three Autograph Letters Signed to Myers, 6 pages 8vo, Cambridge and the Royal Institution (2), 1889 and 1890. Commenting on two patents Myers had sent, expressing concern over his health (1889), and recommending a firm of platinum experts (1890).

Correspondence relating to scientific matters of concern to Myers.

'I looked into the patents you left and feel that it would be impossible for me to give an opinion on the matter unless I had time to investigate the matter by actual experiment ... I am so pressed at present with all kinds of work that I could not take the matter in hand. ...' (30 April 1889)

'You might try Johnson & Matthey of Hatton Garden the great Platinum People ...' (17 May 1890)

Dewar refers to these manufacturers in his paper, 'On the Physical Constants of Hydrogenium', offering his thanks for their provision of palladium which helped him conduct his research. (Collected Papers of Sir James Dewar, Vol 1, Cambridge University Press, 1927).

Abraham and Lionel Myers, who apparently had premises at various times in Bond Street and Saville Row, appear to have been principally art dealers and booksellers, but had widespread interests probably including banking.

£250 [No: 26589]