A Note Book
Adelaide, The Hassell Press, 1932.
Octavo, viii, 42 pages with some simple line illustrations and plans plus 2 plates (including a wonderful portrait frontispiece).
Plain card covers with the attached dustwrapper; a fine copy.
Professor Thorburn Brailsford Robertson (1884-1930) was a South Australian biochemist of world renown, but he also 'pioneered many avenues of thought, publishing some 170 papers, textbooks, essays on the philosophy of science and research, even children's storybooks' ('Australian Dictionary of Biography'). This small posthumous publication, edited by his widow, deals with telepathy. The notes were set down 'as my own private memoranda, and to point to myself the way and the field of endeavour which it is my hope that I may one day have the opportunity to enter. It is of all fields the most worthy of study, the one of most real import to man'. The first note is dated 28 July 1913, and the last 8 December 1918. 'These notes, and his paper, "Consciousness and the Sense of Time", June, 1923, alone remain to testify to his deep interest in phenomena which are, as he states, "a part of natural law, and a proper subject of scientific enquiry"' (preface). This copy is inscribed, signed and dated (22 July 1932) by Jane W. Robertson (as 'Jeannie Robertson') to 'Mr Marston' (Hedley Ralph Marston, 1900-1965, biochemist, a protégé of Brailsford Robertson, was head of CSIRO's Division of Animal Nutrition when it solved the problems caused by deficiencies of trace elements in the soils of South Australia). Loosely inserted is an autograph letter signed by Jeannie Robertson to Marston (octavo, one page, Mt Lofty, July 22 [1932]). She discusses practical aspects of the book ('I should much have liked a stiff cover, but could not manage it. Perhaps you will bind it in green to match the others'), and thanks Marston for his contribution to it. [2 items].
Item #55428
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