France Archives - Page 2 of 52

Comments Off

A very rare preserved example of this short Passemant’s trade catalogue for his reflecting telescopes and his microscopes, especially the reduced ones. Even undated this catalogue seems to be from the period 1740-1750, at the moment where Passemant promoted his reduced-size and portable telescopes. The present short catalogue presents 11 telescopes and microscopes with their prices : -6 reflecting telescopes from 6 to 32 inches plus one of 32 inches with altazimut mount. -A very large reflecting telescope of 5 feet. -A 3-lens microscope Read More...

23 Oct

Pair of Diverging and Converging Lenses, Circa 1900

By Le Zograscope

Comments Off

An interesting pair of lenses, of good size (10.5 cm in diameter), diverging or biconcave and converging or biconvex, both mounted on a brass support and inserted into a 15 cm diameter blackened brass tilting ring. The set measures between 35 and 45 cm in height. Read More...

23 Oct

A liquid prisme in brass and glass, France, circa 1870-1880

By Le Zograscope

Comments Off

A fine brass and glass liquid prism, unsigned but France, circa 1870-1880. From Ganot’s Physics (1883): “The prism with variable angle is used for showing that the angle of deviation increases with the refracting angle of the prism. It consists of two parallel brass plates fixed on a support. Between these are two glass plates, moving on a hinge, with some friction against the plates, so as to close it. When water is poured into the vessel the angle may be varied Read More...

22 Oct

A rare 18th-century microscope magnification slider with five magnifications in complete condition.

By Gilgamesh

Comments Off

This is a rare 18th-century microscope with a magnification slider offering five distinct levels of magnification, and it is in excellent condition. While it could have functioned autonomously, however, the presence of the rail with the stops suggests it may have been part of a larger instrument. There are limited options for the maker of this instrument, as only a few manufacturers utilize such sliders. I’ll leave further research to more knowledgeable experts. Please also note the provided dimensions. Read More...

22 Oct

Coddington Microscope Pendant Set In Gold-Coated And Mother Of Pearl Ormulu Housing, Late 19th Century

By Gilgamesh

Comments Off

A beautifully decorated and highly prestigious ormolu-decorated French Coddington pendant microscope. I analyzed it using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer and found that the ormolu-decorated frames are made of gold-plated brass alloy. The body of the microscope is crafted from mother-of-pearl and is in excellent condition. I will provide the precise elemental composition to the buyer. The magnification is impressive, and the resolving power is good for that period. Read More...

21 Oct

ELEGANT ‘Pied de Roy” /Archipenzolo BY BUTTERFIELD

By Alpha et Omega

Comments Off

ELEGANT ‘Pied de Roy” /Archipenzolo BY MICHEL BUTTERFIELD, c.1700 A 18×2.5cm (7 1/16/” x 1”) close folding brass “Pied de Roy” with decoratively shaped joint element, hand-graved “Butterfield AParis” and “Pied de Roy”. Nicely engraved with floral decoration. Very good condition (please note a scratch on one side). The instrument was also used as “archipenzolo”, i.e. the possibility to be placed on the cannon barrel to set the correct angle for shot. Michel Butterfield (London, c. 1643 – Paris, 1724) a well-known Parisian maker, Read More...

15 Oct

A LARGE MEURAND GRAPHOMETER, c1770

By Alpha et Omega

Comments Off

A LARGE MEURAND GRAPHOMETER, c1770 A large brass graphometer signed: “Meurand Quai de l’Horloge du Palais à Paris”, c.1770. Dimension: 29.4cm (11 ½”) Nice floral decoration on sides and on bottom of the compass with decorated wind rose. Antoine Joseph Meurand (w1750 -1795). “Maitre foundeur” between 1770 and 1772. He provided instruments to the military mission at Constantinopolis. Paris, Quai de l’Horloge in 1771. A NICE INSTRUMENT IN WORKING CONDITION By A RENOWNED MAKER Read More...

04 Oct

Biot’s polariscope by Pixii and Son, ca. 1835

By Gilgamesh

Comments Off

This is a rare early polarization instrument. The essential components for polarization, particularly the polarization prism named after William Nicol, had been developed by Edinburgh mineralogists William Nicol (1770-1851) and David Brewster (1781-1861) in the early 19th century. In 1834, the Englishman William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877) proposed combining Nicol’s prisms with a microscope to observe thin sections of rock. Interestingly, Nicol had suggested this concept a few years earlier. During the same year, Talbot noted remarkable color phenomena Read More...

04 Oct

Pedometer-compass- map measure by Henri Chatelain ca 1920

By Early Science

Comments Off

With this well-functioning original instrument, made by Henri Chatelain around 1920, you could measure steps, determine distances on a map, and use a small compass in the top knob. Dimensions/diameter approx. 2 inches. Price ( € 95 ) includes insured shipping within Europe; worldwide shipping available upon request. Read More...

03 Oct

An Early description of the Gattey’s Arithmograph – 1813

By Le Zograscope

Comments Off

GATTEY (François), Tables des rapports des anciennes mesures agraires avec les nouvelles. Troisième édition, Paris, Michaud Frères, 1812. 8vo of (4), 328, (2) and 1 folded plate; contemporary half-sheepskin (faded spine, missing leather, and fragile joints). Third edition, but the first given an illustrated description of Gattey’s Arithmograph, a separate publication of which had already appeared in 1810 at the time of the publication of the second edition of the Tables. The original edition of the tables appeared in 1801. Gattey Read More...

03 Oct

Beautiful rare French early 19th Century mahogany box

By Eppursimuove

Comments Off

Beautiful rare French early 19th century mahogany box Very good quality brass dividers, architect or student set. Complete with 12 quality pieces. In excellent condition. size: 19,5 x 11,5 x 3 cm Feel free to ask for further photos or information. Thanks Read More...

01 Oct

C1840 Fruitwood & Bone Monaural Stethoscope

By M and R Gordon

Comments Off

A handsome example of a c1840 monaural stethoscope in fruit-wood and bone. Height: 6.5″. We would date this as coming on the heels of the Piorry scopes. Possibly French. Minor staining to bone ear piece but o/w in very good+ condition. Read More...