Forbes, George

i) Diary and scientific notebook as a student at St Andrews, regular entries including sketches and diagrams, c.250 pages, 1865; ii) Sketchbook from a tour of the West Coast of Scotland with some diary entries, c.60 pages, plus blanks, 1865; iii) Notebook from a journey across Siberia (returning from an expedition to Hawaii to observe the transit of Venus) including memoranda, records of places visited, scientific notes, expenses, c.100 pages, plus blanks, 1875; iv) Sketchbook with diary entries from a trip up the Nile for a possible hydroelectric project, c.50 pages, plus blanks, 1897; v) Boer War notebook with detailed notes, diary entries, test data and some sketches, relating to his infantry rangefinder, c.100 pages, plus blanks, 1902; vi) Diary and sketchbook recording a visit to Spain, c.130 pages, 1909; appointment diary, 1909; all written in pencil, most volumes oblong 8vo; [with:] Forbes, George. Puppets. A Work-a-Day Philosophy. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1911, 8vo, original red cloth, dust-jacket [ownership signature of George Forbes] (7)

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

George Forbes (1849-1936) was an inventor and physicist. He served as Professor of Natural Philosophy at Anderson's University, Glasgow, before moving to London in 1880 and working extensively in the field of electrical power engineering. His works and achievements were broad, from predicting the existence of Pluto fifty years before its discovery and leading a British expedition to Hawaii to observe the transit of Venus, to recommending the electrification of the London Underground and inventing the carbon brush for electric motors. In the 1890s he threw his considerable energy into the development of Hydroelectric power, and following his role in the Niagara project (see next lot) he went on to advise on other such schemes in India (1893), southern Africa (1895), New Zealand (1896), and Upper Egypt (1897–8), and proposed several similar schemes in Scotland. Towards the end of his life, he devoted his attention to the study of gunnery and ballistics. His infantry rangefinder was used successfully in South Africa in 1902.