An unusual catalogue of the Frank Crisp Collection of Microscopes, folio, half leather with green faux leather to boards, black leather spine with gilt lettering for ‘MICROSCOPES IN MR FRANK CRISPS COLLECTION’, with orange end papers, with a pocket of the same to accept a copy of ‘The Collection of Antique Microscopes, Tuesday , February 17th 1925, Stevens’s Auctions Rooms’, with 78 pages of engravings of all the main microscope from the Crisp Collection, with microscope collection shelving units, & display cabinets to the rear of the book, some of the engravings with hand written notes that correspond to the entries in the auction catalogue Frustratingly there are some aspects of the book missing, firstly a past owners signature has been crudely erased from the top corner of the inside page, secondly an old letter/page is missing from the front of the book, the outline can be seen against the pages oposit and there is some old tape suggesting it was put in after the publication by a previous owner, the hand written descriptions below the microscope engravings have been compared to the hand writing of Frank Crisp and there is no correlation. It’s certainly possible that Crisp had this book made for him, he was no stranger to publishing books having had a private run of 1000 copies of his book ‘Medieval Gardens’ gardens published by John Lane, The Bodley Head Limited, in 1924. However, the auction catalogue was of course produced after his death so how could it be fitted to the inside of the boards, unless the end papers were a later addition or replacement. In conclusion this is perhapse the only known copy of the complete collection of microscopes from the Crisp collection before it was broken up at Stevens’s Auction in 1925, the book would have been an expensive venture only possible at the time as a private publication by Frank Crisp as he would have been the only one with access to the collection in such detail. There would not have been the time or inclination for this to have been produced after his death. the science museum in London has a copy of the notes and drawings made by Thomas Henry Court, object number: 1934-133, but not a copy of this book Provenance: previous owners name in pen to the auction catalogue and inside cover of the book of B. Bracegirdle Sir Frank Crisp, 1st Baronet, distinguished himself not only in the legal arena but also as a active meber in the field of microscopy. Born on October 25, 1843, in London, Crisp's early years were marked by personal tragedy, losing his mother at a tender age. Raised by his grandfather, John Filby Childs, Crisp exhibited a remarkable intellect and an insatiable curiosity about the natural world. His journey into the world of law commenced at the age of 16 when he began his apprenticeship with a solicitor firm while simultaneously pursuing studies at the University of London. His academic prowess earned him a BA in 1864 and LLB in 1865, laying the foundation for his legal career. In 1867, Crisp married Catherine Howes, embarking on a partnership that would see them deeply involved in both legal and scientific pursuits. Crisp's passion for microscopy led him to become an enthusiastic member of the Royal Microscopical Society, where he not only participated actively but also served in various capacities, including as an officer. His generosity towards the society manifested through donations of furniture, books, and instruments, illustrating his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge. Despite his burgeoning legal career, Crisp's fascination with the microscopic world remained undiminished. He delved into the intricacies of microscopy, contributing significantly to the understanding of this field. Crisp's legal expertise garnered him prestigious clients, including foreign railroad companies and the Imperial Japanese Navy. His involvement in drafting the contract for the cutting of the renowned Cullinan diamond underscored his prowess in navigating complex legal agreements. In recognition of his invaluable services to the Liberal Party, Crisp was knighted in 1907 and subsequently elevated to the baronetcy in 1913. These honors reflected not only his legal acumen but also his unwavering commitment to public service. Beyond his legal and scientific pursuits, Crisp was a passionate horticulturist. He acquired Friar Park in Henley-on-Thames in 1889 and transformed it into a botanical marvel, featuring an impressive alpine garden inspired by his love for natural beauty.