Autograph letter signed, 3pp., 4to. to Valpicelli. concerning an exhibition at Kensington Museum
Publisher Information: London: 1876.
Lockyer, J. Norman (1836-1920). Autograph letter signed to Volpicelli. [London,] January 24, [1876]. 3pp. 228 x 187 mm. Fine. Docketed by recipient.
From Norman Lockyer, co-discoverer of the element helium and founder of the scientific journal Nature, to the son of Italian physicist Paolo Volpicelli (1804-79). Lockyer had recently been appointed to Britain's Science and Art Department, a government body headquartered in South Kensington and dedicated to the promotion of education in art, science, technology and design. His letter to Volpicelli concerns a planned exhibition of scientific apparatus:
"I am sure you will forgive me for so long a silence as you can form an idea of the tremendous pressure upon us all here in connection with the Scientific Collection. . . .
"We are alarmed about the Italian part of the Collection as there has been such a long delay; the German and French are overwhelming us & the success is already assured. Do use your power in the press and let me know how matters stand. Italy which should stand first seems as if she is not going to be represented at all. Stir up Blaserna and Respighi to whom I shall write as soon as I have time to compose a French letter which with me is a work of time & high art.
The two names mentioned here refer to Italian physicists Pietro Blaserna (1836-1918) and Lorenzo Respighi (1824-89). Lockyer's letter also refers to papers by physicist Paolo Volpicelli, the father of his correspondent, which apparently were to be translated in Nature:
"One of your Father's papers has been translated & the other is in hand. The latter has to be delayed as we have a steel engraving of Wheatstone [Charles Wheatstone (1802-75), one of the inventors of the telegraph] to accompany it."
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