Tools of the Trade: the Sedgwick Museum's Historical Collection of Geological Hammers by Douglas Palmer. Sedgwick Museum, Cambridge, 2016. No. of pages: 48. Price: UK£7-50. ISBN 978-0-9927270-1-7 (paperback).

Abstract

Every now and again a book turns up that, while concerned with the geological sciences, might be considered whimsical, although being well written and of some broad interest. I welcome Doug Palmer's new book Tools of the Trade as just such a volume and anticipate that it will be enthusiastically received by amateurs, students and professionals alike. Using a unique collection in the Sedgwick Museum, Palmer provides a history of the geological hammer since the 19th century and before. This is written partly in general terms (with particular reference to the University of Cambridge, its staff and the student Sedgwick Club) and partly by referring to hammers that were formerly owned by geologists, from the Great and the Good to the more humble. Tools of the Trade is well produced on good quality paper. Doug Palmer writes well—such a volume needs an author with a good ‘bedside manner’ and he fills this niche admirably. The numerous illustrations are in black and white or, where necessary, colour and are mainly concerned with the hammers themselves or those that used them, supported by such ephemera as pages from 19th century ‘hammer catalogues’. A welcome feature is a set of extended captions to the 87 figures filling six informative pages towards the back. The 24 individuals whose hammers are highlighted include notable historical figures such as Sedgwick, Harker, Lyell and Pengelly, through some less well-known, but nonetheless deserving names, to recent figures that many of us will remember with respect such as Whittington and Rickards. I am particularly grateful to the author for including the first portrait that I have seen of the great monographer of the Devonian, the Reverend G.F. Whidborne, whose crinoids I have been investigating for some years. Some hammers are more difficult to spot than others. For example, the portrait of D.M. Home (1805–1890) does show his hammer, but it takes a little finding. (He is also holding what appears to be a mobile phone!) Most confusing is the photograph of “… the gentlemen of the Sedgwick Club wielding their hammers” in 1883 (p. 16) or 1885 (p. 43). Membership at the time was limited to ten individuals, yet there are 24 in this view, including three young ladies being chaperoned by the Professor's wife, Mrs McKenny Hughes. Any geologist will find much of interest in this slender volume. I recommend it to all and anyone who has ever brandished a hammer in search of answers from the Earth. They will be both enchanted and informed.