Description
label to base reads:
“Mineralogist. 149. STRAND
MAWE
importer of diamonds and precious ston…(torn label)
minerals and whatever is related to…(unclear)
Italian alabaster , & co
manufacturer of Derbyshire spar vases (blue John stone vases)
SHELLS,
the finest variety in Europe.
The best publications on mineralogy and conchology.”
The proprietor of this shop was John Mawe from 1804 until his death in 1829 and was Mineralogist to the Queen, his wife Sarah took over the shop and title of mineralogist to the Queen. It was then bought by their apprentice James Tennant (Mineralogist to Her Majesty from 1840) until his death in 1881. Tennant oversaw the cutting of the Koh-i-Noor for the Great Exhibition.
Condition commensurate with age, expand photos for details of scratches, crack etc, these photos are part of the description.