[Thomas Lamb Phipson, editor of the Scientific Review and violinist.] Autograph Letter Signed to the meteorologist G. J. Symons, asking for advice on where to get a good rain-gauge.

C. A. Russell’s 2003 biography of Edward Frankland contains a thumbnail biography of Phipson, who ‘obtained a doctorate at Brussels in 1855, and after editing Cosmos in Paris, directed an analytical laboratory at Putney (at 4, The Cedars, almost on the site of Frankland’s earlier exploits at the now demolished College of Engineering). He became a Fellow of the Chemical Society in 1862 and was a prolific author of short papers as well as an accomplished amateur violinist’. See the short biographical notice in C. J. Bouverie, ‘The scientific and literary works of Dr. T. L. Phipson, F.C.S.’ (1884). Symons has an entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. Blind-stamped monogram letterhead at head. Addressed to ‘Professor G. J. Symons F.M.S.’ and signed ‘T. L. Phipson PhD. F.C.S / Editor of the Scientific Review’. In fair condition, slightly grubby and laid down on part of a leaf extracted from an album. Irregularly trimmed along one edge. Thirteen lines of text. He wants to know where to get ‘a good rain-gauge’ and what ‘to give for it. It is for a gentleman I met at Brit. Assoc. at Norwich, he does not wish one which is fine to look at, but a good [?] article that will give totally accurate results.’ The gentleman in question is a medical man, and Phipson has recommended that he read Symons’ ‘valuable publications & journal’.