IOM3 receives donation of antiquarian books
IOM3 Library has received a generous donation of books and research materials from W A (Frank) Tandy, a long-standing member with a distinguished history in the field of rubber and materials science.
Frank Tandy joined the Institute of the Rubber Industry (IRI) in 1948 and was a founding member of the Merseyside committee of the IRI in 1949, where he served as Treasurer for 15 years and later as Chair. In 1966, he moved to Belgium to become Butyl Rubber Coordinator for Esso Chemicals. During the early 1970s, he established the Belgian section of the Plastics and Rubber Institute (PRI), overcoming objections from the UK Council, which initially opposed the idea on the grounds that 'nobody spoke Belgian'. Upon returning to the UK, he continued his involvement by joining the committee of the Southern section of the PRI, remaining an active member of what is now IOM3. He is believed to be one of the oldest members of the Institute today.
Alongside his professional achievements, W A Tandy has been a lifelong collector of antiquarian books, with a particular interest in the history of rubber. His collection, which spans works from the Spanish conquest of the Americas to the present day, also includes his research into the origins of the French word for rubber, 'caoutchouc'. This extensive collection has now been donated to the IOM3 library. Mr Tandy hopes that these materials will serve as a valuable resource for future students and researchers in materials, metals, and mining.
The collection is currently being accessioned, and details will be available in the online catalogue. Those interested in accessing these resources are encouraged to contact the library at library@iom3.org