7 autograph letters signed ("JFW Herschel" or "JFWH") in total 20 pages, and 3 undated autograph manuscripts, 6 pages in total, all ranging in size from 115 x 93 mm to 314 x 198 mm. 

Creases where previously folded, some occasional small splits to folds, some letters with light soiling to outer blank leaves, some letters with open tear at fore-edge resulting from the original opening of the wax seals.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

"YOU WILL THINK ME A SAD DOG, BUT IN TRUTH I AM HARASSED. WHAT WITH MY BOOK, THE THIRD PART OF WHICH I HAVE WRITTEN AT LEAST 3 TIMES OVER AND WHICH, AFTER ALL, IS DONE MOST WRETCHEDLY, AND WHAT WITH SITTING UP STAR-GAZING THESE SUPERB NIGHTS..."

A fascinating correspondence with English Geologist Dr. William H. Fitton spanning from 1827-1830, discussing various publications, including the writing of his Discourse on Natural Philosophy; happenings of the Royal Society, including Sir Humphry Davy's resignation of his chair; and matters of the Geological Society amongst many other topics. The 3 autograph manuscripts consist first, of Herschel's views of the election of the Royal Society's officers; second, a large chart headed Tangent of Angles; and third, mathꦏematical formulae and geometric diagrams.

John Frederick William Herschel was a renowned astronomer, mathematician, chemist, and photographer who discovered the ability of hyposulfite to be used as a fixing agent in photography, and coined the terms photography, positive, and negative. He published his famous treatise Discourse on Natural Philosophy in 1830❀, and made important advancements in the fields of optics and magnetism, as well as to the development of telescopes and microscopes. A prolific writer, he spent his later years building on the work of his famous father astronomer William Herschel, discovering 1,202 pairs of close double stars and 1,708 nebulae and clusters.