Lecons de Mineralogie, T. 1

The library of James Smithson (1765-1829), whose bequest founded the Smithsonian Institution, is deceivingly humble in appearance. A number of the books in his collection remain in their original paper wrappers, such as his copy of Jean-Claude de La Métherie’s two-volume Leçons de Mineralogie, published in 1812. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Smithson elected not to have many of his books bound in sturdier leather bindings, instead retaining the temporary wrapper bindings in which books were sold at the time. Rather than being overly concerned with the aesthetic of his library, Smithson valued its utility—and use it he did! Both volumes of Leçons de Mineralogie are full of his notes and remarks on La Métherie’s text, which allow us to glimpse the interests and personality of our enigmatic founder. Both the bindings and the significant marginalia of these volumes make them irreplaceable historical witnesses, of great value to researchers of all disciplines.