Gesner, Abraham; Remarks on the Geology and Mineralogy of Nova Scotia. Halifax, Gossip and Coade, 1836. Octavo, pp. xl, 272, folded frontispiece view of Parrsboro, folded hand-colored map, plate with view of Cape Split. In original linen, spine rebacked with original title retained, x-lib, stamp on tp and cover, text, plates and map very clean, very good copy.

A Canadian geologist and chemist; Gesner (1797-1864) held the first appointment of Provincial Geologist (New Brunswick) in the British Empire. He is best known for his pioneering work in the geological mapping of the Canadian Maritime provinces and in developing the commerical use of kerosene and asphalt. His reports were to touch off a boom in mineral lands investments by speculators. Many proved to be unprofitable and led to a move to abolish Gesner's position. Gesner himself was caught up in this frenzy and was forced to recover some loses by selling his own collection of mineral and natural hisotry specimens. That collection formed the nucleus of the New Brunswick Natural History Museum in St. Johns. His above work is considered the first book on the geology and mineralogy of Nova Scotia. This work led to a major controversy with Charles Jackson in regards to Jackson and Alger's study of Nova Scotia. Gesner felt that the Jackson/Alger study was in part a plagarism of his above work and was rushed to print in an effort to take precedence over Gesner's own study.folded hand-colored